There is not one bit of lost flexibility--you are still as able to turn your DVC Vacation Points into Reservation Points via a simple call to Member Services. Is it possible that they have reassesed the price they pay compounded with the funds recouped in regards to the current economy? I would hope they do, and I'm confident that they have.
You want to mention flexibility? I say bravo and thank you to DVC for opening the possibility of us locking certian rooms/views/services.
When I first looked at DVC, the
point charts for Disney Exchanges limited the number of hotels beyond the current limits (no Moderates) and the exchange rates were very high. I quickly realized that DVC was DVC--and the options and perks are nice, but I was locking in four resorts. When I restarted looking, they gained two resorts (one near completion: WLV and one starting: BCV), and to boot, the Disney Exchanges had come down in cost.
And now the economy has turned south, and they cannot recoup the money for our DVC rooms as fast, and that is fine--over the next 40 years we will probably see at least 4-5 full economic cycles which will have a direct impact on those point charts. Some will lead to elimination of perks, others will lead to expanded options.
But folks--in 40 years--there might be no need for the Disney Collection as the number of DVC Resorts continues to grow much faster than the rate os stand-alone resorts.
Disney is not trying to screw DVC in any way, shape or form--it is one of the most successful businesses that the entire corporation runs--and we are their best clients.
Nick