It's easy for some, not so much for others... I mean, you said you have gone five times in a 12 month period just a couple of years ago. We live on the west coast and typically have gone once a year or so since 2008. Raising APs a couple hundred bucks isn't going to stop the frequent visitor as the value is still great if you go often, so I'm not surprised attendance is fairly flat. They could lose a lot of families like mine who shell out for park hoppers and not feel it as long as others are still making their several trips a year from closer with their DVC and APs.
WDW feels like its meant for frequent visitors and not the random guests these days. Way too many limited items, special events, last minute changes, delays, you name it. The social media take over has ruined the parks in the same way nature is being overrun too. Put up an awesome spot and people come in droves. Mention a new waffle flavor and get 100 people asking where you got it. You can't plan around that 180 days or more out, all you can do it suck it up. Winging it only works when you KNOW you can just wake up another day and try again. The rest of us have to plan with a moving target. I didn't appreciate waking up to a price hike for a trip I "had" to book hotels for at the 11 month mark for availability but months before I NEED to for the FP+ reservations. When I stop enjoying my trips in spite of all the bother, I'll stay home, for sure.
It feels like you either shell out more money for ease of access - be it earlier access to reservations/FP+, buying extra fast passes/concierge level help, VIP guides, dessert parties for decent views of fireworks, or even just being closer to the parks in a deluxe hotel - to try and make up for not getting to try again later or.. accept that you'll miss out on something. I was fine with playing the game years ago when it was just time - get up early, get to the park if its important to you and you'll most likely get what you want, but now its like buying a blind pack. Refresh refresh refresh and maybe you'll get what you want out of your trip.
Think of all the people who say they need a redo. Or the last few trips weren't great but they keep trying again. I don't understand that either. There are other places to go, even other Disney places to go, especially Disney parks.