In the past, I felt like I had to check off every ride and cram in every hour with activities until I was beyond exhausted. It was almost as if I knew that theme park tickets cost $X/hour, and each day was measured in productivity. I think at one point, I'd even joked that each ride cost us $7 on a given day, and that was considered defeat. I think an AP helped me realize that this wasn't the right approach for me, even though I'm probably paying about the same after adding it all up.
Now, I find relaxation to be an important part of a WDW vacation value. Instead of rushing around from ride-to-ride, I've come to appreciate just being present (whether with friends, family, or solo). I don't mind strolling around to enjoy the scenery and noticing the impressive details. I don't even consider in-park time to be the gold standard of WDW time.
In the past, I wouldn't think of "wasting" valuable park tickets by spending time at a resort, or Disney Springs/Downtown Disney, or lingering over a table meal. Now, I want to sit on the Boardwalk with an ice cream cone, or stop at a good restaurant in Disney Springs, or ride the boats from Port Orleans to appreciate the peaceful waters. Even sipping a beer at Epcot, while browsing the pavilions on a warm evening makes me happy. Of course, rides are always an important part of WDW, but I no longer measure success by how many I did. I could be in the Magic Kingdom all day, and not go on a single ride, and still be in the place that allows me to let go of everyday life for a precious day.