Do you really think this is how this system is going to play out?
Disney execs woke up one morning and said "lets run off all the people that are dying for an AP discount by locking them into rates and screwing them every chance we get". Of course not. This system is designed to say "you will get the best rates, so book now and stop worrying".
I do feel if your family cannot afford to go to Disney EXCEPT with an AP discounted room, however, you did find a way to afford the AP to begin with so I suspect things aren't as tough as some would like people to believe.
If you are that family, book a package deal. If you have to travel in the worst peak times when the package deals are not available, chances are you won't swing a "great" AP discount either.
I am not saying the current system doesn't need to be tweeked (in some areas a lot), I am simply saying that the non-refundable part (for one night only - not your whole trip) is not that different from any other programs out there.