I fondly remember staying at both the tree houses and the vacation villas as a kid. Back then, Downtown Disney did not exsist as it does today, as their were a handfull of buildings, a small grocery market, and some shops. The pace was very relaxed, and the crowds were a fraction of what they are currently. We always rented an electric golf cart and you could pretty much get anywhere you wanted to in that area without having to get in your car. I have fond memories of character breakfasts at the Empress Lilly paddleboat back when it still had its grand paddle and gearing.
It's sad to me knowing that the villas are gone and the treehouses are in a poor state of disrepair and the Empress Lilly is now a crabhouse with no characters around. Not only this, but the peace and lazy atmosphere of the area is long gone now too.
It's funny how we evaluate progress. I have been to Downtown Disney plenty of times and I do enjoy many of the aspects of the additions. Change is inevitable though, and I guess what it all comes down to is whether you have certain memories or not. To someone who has never visited that area before they probably enjoy it as much as used to enjoy the villas. But having the memories that I do, the area is just ok with me now - and I have to admit that I cant walk through Downtown Disney without thinking about what it used to be like.