It was a mess for sure in the beginning...and I really enjoyed it. I've never seen so many people sharing, grouping, and buffing each other. It was slow....and I didn't care. I never experienced vanilla, but from all I read, I knew it was for me. This game really is meant for a more introspective and patient person.
I signed off my elf after taking a couple hours to get to level 2 and signed on my human. I went to Stormwind and saw first hand all the things that existed before my time. I enjoyed every slow minute of every hour and I still do.