Hi, Pam!
So happy to hear from you!
My family's decision to join the Disney Vacation Club was the very best vacation decision we've ever made, as it's afforded us the ability to travel to several locations, cruise both with and without kids and even enabled us to bring extended family along with us, too. We just love our DVC Membership!
Regarding dining offers, DVC Members don't purchase packages which come with those free dining offers. Instead, some purchase discounted Annual Passes (a DVC perk!) so that they can travel to WDW more than once a year while using just one park pass. Once you consider that you've already got accommodations via your DVC Membership, Dining is the only option you'd have to add at that point. Because of this, DVC enables Members to add a Dining Plan to DVC reservations, at a nightly cost per Guest. In addition to this option, DVC Members are able to purchase a Tables in Wonderland Card, which entitles Cardholders and up to 9 Guests a 20% discount on food and beverages at participating restaurants, most of which are Table-Service. More details on this great program can be found near the bottom of the
Walt Disney World Passholder Program page (since this was originally a perk for Passholders, rather than DVC Members.)
Regarding paying for a purchase of a
Disney Vacation Club Membership, contact DVC either via their website or by calling (800) 500-3990. Options and offers change from time to time, so Membership can answer your question more accurately based on a few factors including the specifics of current conditions.
Give them a call; you might find that this is one vacation decision that will save you money as well as offer your family vacation opportunities you just couldn't otherwise enjoy. :-)
Send more questions as you think of them, Pam; I love to help!