Where do you look that fact up? Wikipedia, cause its not there. Ask the 9.6 million people subscribed? I'm sure they won't tell you it sucks since they are subscribed but some might. And why does it matter how long a person has been playing a game? I've been living in my same house for almost 6 years now should I get a new one? I've been driving the same car for longer should I get a new one just because?
If a person is still having fun playing the game after any amount of time why is that perceived as a negative? What is pathetic about enjoying a hobby for a long period of time? I've been watching Star Wars movies for 20 years is that pathetic too?
As for the topic of the patch, yes 5.2 is certainly going to be one of the better patches. How great remains to be seen on how good the actual raid turns out to be. But it has been compared to Ulduar alot and that instance has been considered to be one of the best raids Blizzard has done. Also it has a world boss that might need more then one 40-man heroic geared group to kill.
It is going to be awesome, unless you no longer like WoW or play it. But if that is the case why even care about subscriber numbers or this discussion?