Well, we recently made major changes to our upcoming vacation to Disney World.  Originally we were going to drive down with our camper, and stay in Fort Wilderness.  After we realized the cost we were going to incur we changed everything… Well, almost.

We are now driving down, and staying in a “Suite” just outside the main gates of Disney World.  Then we will be moving over to our timeshare in Disney.  Starting to prepare now is essential, as I have to make sure everything is ready.  Between getting the car luggage carrier out, and washed to making sure the car is running absolutelly perfect, there is a lot to do.  I know it seems a bit early, but it really isn’t, as work can get in the way, and I tend to forget to do things.  Some of the stuff is in my schedule to do by certain dates, so it may not be done yet.
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As a child I grew up liking the lifestyle of staying at Disney on “Key To The World.”  All the benefits, and perks that you can imagine.  Eventually either cost, or availability of the “Key To The World” made it so that we no longer got that when my family went.

After moving out of my parents house I met my wife, and I decided that I wanted to take her to Disney, as she had never been there.  We initially went, and stayed at Ft. Wilderness in a tent.  We had all of the amenities… TV, Refrigerator, Air Matresses, and more.  Camping… Doesn’t have to just be in a tent roughing it.

I was a little out of my element, but I dealt with it.  My wife, and I were in for a rough stay.  We dealt with downpours of rain, a tent that ripped, and my wife had to deal with her new friends “The Armadillos.”  They would constantly follow her, and bother her.  She was a little spooked by them initially, but she got used to it, and now we all joke about it.

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When The Imagination Pavilion first opened in @1983, 2 characters were prominently displayed. (Dreamfinder, and Figment are shown above.)  As you went through the ride you went through various sections showing Figment using his imagination to do different things.  After the ride guests could go to an upstairs playground.

You could also see “Captain EO” in the Kodak theatre next door, which then became “Honey, I shrunk the Audience.”

After several years, Disney changed the ride in @1999.  When the ride was reopened, all traces of Figment, and the Dreamfinder were gone.  The ride was now being run by Dr. Nigel.  The upstairs playground was gone, and a much smaller one was placed downstairs. 

A few years later, Disney once again remodeled the attraction.  I would believe it was due to customer comments regarding Figment, possibly.  The attraction, which still exists today, as last remodeled, features Dr. Nigel, and Figment.  The ride now elaborates on the senses of the body, such as Sight, Sound, Smell.  Figment causes his own mayhem about half way through.

The ride is nothing like it used to be when it was first opened.  I personally liked to see Figment, and I know it was the highlight of my mothers day.  When I was last in Epcot there was a full sized Figment that you could get photos with.  I have posted a picture of him below.

We decided last year that we would have to cut our vacationing down to once a year because money just isn’t what it used to be.  I was looking over my reservations for this year, and realized that I was going to be paying @$400 for a campsite at Ft. Wilderness.  Can you believe that?  @$400 for 3 nights on a site, and I supply my camper.  Thinking about the money we would be spending just in transporting the camper, and time I would have to add onto the travel was all it took.  I called Disney, and asked them for a price for a room at the All Stars, and they told me that it was @400.  I thought about it, and being that it is only for a few days prior to staying at Old Key West we decided that we would look around to see what the outside was charging.

We checked with one of our favorite locations.  The Palms Hotel & Villas told me that they were @$250 for the same days.  Now, I realize that they aren’t on grounds, and for most that may be important, but for us we are driving, and The Palms is actually closer to Disney than most would believe.

Has anyone else had to modify their vacation plans because of the economy?

I am making a list of sites that have tools to help in planning Disney DVC vacations.  While there are many out there, I don’t have the resources to find all of them.  If you have one, then comment here, and I will make sure it gets into my listing.  Here are a few that I have.

http://web.nalu.net/~wneth/

http://www.mousemanager.com/index.html

http://www.tagrel.com/

http://www.dvcmember.com