Yeah, I was surprised to hear that DL now has manageable crowds. I agree that they do....if you could get in a time machine and go back at least 3 years. Last time I was at DL on March 3 of this year (supposedly a slow time), it was the first time I had said about any Disney park, "I never want to come here again". And I meant it in that moment. It was so freaking crazy crowded and the fireworks had just been cancelled right in the middle of the show. If not for having APs that last through November, and kids that keep asking to go back, I would've planned a trip to Hawaii or a cruise or something. But since I have the APs, I'll be at least doing a big trip in the fall, and I may try to squeeze in a few days in August. Hoping that DL redeems itself from the last trip I took.
I'm also surprised at the food comment. While DL does have some different food options, I've never thought of them in the same realm as WDW - especially with table service. Epcot alone makes WDW the clear winner on food. Throw in the cool places at AK, and my favorite Liberty Tree Tavern, and DL has yet to match WDW. Especially after they took out my favorite - Big Thunder Ranch BBQ.
Lodging is definitely a plus at DL...unless you want a Disney property. Then it's too much money. I do love that I can get a park view hotel room for mid $100s at DL. That's really nice. But on the flip side, I miss the fantastic theming and "bubble" feeling I get at a WDW moderate. Still, the prices can't be beat for some of the Harbor hotels.
But for us and going to DL, it's the cost getting to DL that wins us over: $100 in gas vs. $2K+ for flights. That's the real reason I go to DL.
And I guess when MaxPass comes out, I'll decide if DL is still the place for us. I hated the idea of FP+ and never went back to WDW once it was implemented. But if I find that MaxPass digital users (spending extra money each day) keep me from getting all the FPs I'm used to getting, I may flush DL. I hope they don't mess up Disneyland's beautiful FP system with this.