@
Degn89
I told you you wouldn't understand.
At the top of my head though (this would apply to a non-xrealm server):
1) Spending 10 min getting to the instances motivates people to actually complete the dungeon too. Taking your time to get to the instance only to leave half way through would probably get you a bad rep on your server in the long run. In short, if you spend time travelling, you will (or should) feel more committed to the group and the following hour you'll spend together.
2) Yes, you'll most likely AFK on the gryphon but this is not a bad thing. 9/10 people use these minutes to bio break, get refreshments etc. So you'll be 100% ready when you get to the dungeon. When you finally land, you'll still have some travelling to do. You spend this time conversing with other people (I know, this is kind of insane). About what wings to do in SM, tactics on certain bosses, about your guild, server, RL stuff or just joking around. Socializing with your group. Finding out who's a nitwit and who's more your type of person. Maybe you'll add them to your friends list.
3) You'll see the world. When you port around, you don't. Seeing the world is important in an MMO. Like you do in your Garri... eh wait. But seriously, seeing the world, travelling the world, just for the sake of it, adds something to the game. The other side of the spectrum would be a game of menues. Like we have now.
4) It takes time. Porting is instant. You instantly get to the dungeon, within an hour you'll have your loot. It's too fast, is what I'm trying to say. The people who didn't bother, because the way is too long, would sit in greens in IF. Some kind of gating is important. The travelling is a way of gating content.
5)When you finally get that blue item you wanted so bad, after all the travelling, possibly multiple times, to SM, the reward will feel greater. Because not everyone else did. But you did. Cus you were dedicated, like the rest of your group. Overcoming the trash, bosses but also some tedious tasks is part of dedication. Everyone gets an Ashbringer now...
6) RPG. You click a button and you're suddenly on the other side of the continent. It doesn't make sense. It does for Warlocks. But not for the world. Why can and why should the world be able to portal every player to dungeons. It's just not very RP-like. It's convenient. But:
7) Convenience killed WoW...
But all this doesn't matter because
You already made up your mind.