I noticed (both in 2004 WoW and now) that i find any excuse to get to (and stay on) Kalimdor. With one exception (Stranglethorn Vale) I avoid the Eastern Kingdoms like the plague.
I think it has a lot to do with the color palette and architecture of the two continents. If I have to summon an instant image of the Eastern Kingdoms in my mind, its pretty much Deathknell (the lvl 1 Forsaken village)- blacks, blues, and grays and an endless sea of burnt-out farmhouses. Kalimdor vibrantly uses all colors, and the architecture and zone features are interesting and distinct.
Am I wrong? Any hardcore Eastern Kingdom partisans out there?
Have you seen Dun Morogh or Loch Modan?
I think it’s more of a problem with the northern EK than the southern half. Like you said, the north is mostly grass lands and woods. The south, on the other hand, grass lands and woods but also jungles, volcanos, wastelands, snowy mountains, and swamps, off the top of my head.
I think it depends on where you start.
Starting in Elwynn Forest is magical. You find yourself in a shimmering, majestic city and letter make your way through the colorful Redridge Mountains, travers the darkened Duskwood and then find yourself in the prehistoric wild of Stranglethorn. And that’s only if you go south!
Hell no.
Kalimdor is just vast spaces of nothing, it’s vary obvious they rushed it.