One thing I've noticed is that both parks are
completely different and offer a totally different experience then the other. To me they're like comparing apples to oranges. Sure, they're both fruit, but they don't taste the same. I love the complaint people make about the tiny castle. To me, it adds to the charm of the whole place.
People who grew up going to DL their entire lives tend call DL their home park and the same goes for WDW. I personally grew up with DL. I've been to MK once and I felt the park lacked the intimacy that DL has, but that's a personal opinion of my experience. To me there is just something about the original park that Walt built. But it doesn't mean we're never going back to WDW. We plan on trying to go next year in April.
As to the park being run down or having grumpy CM's, I've rarely experienced that. The parks have always been in pristine condition. The worse time I saw grumpy CM's was during July 4th weekend and it seemed that everyone in the park was grumpy due to the horrible crowds.
Sure, you're always going to find parts of the park needing repair. Considering the number of people who trample (and I do mean trample) through that place each day, it's no wonder they're constantly having to paint and repair things all of the time. They will always be in a constant state of repair and attractions down for refurb. I noticed the same thing when I was at WDW. I think of this every time I go to somewhere like Six Flags and compare the quality of the park.
I guarantee that if you see something needing painting one week, the next weekend it's repaired. Teams of people do nothing but touch up paint and replace lightbulbs every night on 3rd shift.
I'll always defend my DL.
Older with more experience is better? 
