It gets downplayed, but I think most people, given the option, would absolutely choose to walk around, watch whatever live entertainment is going on, shop, eat, or catch one of the characters without an established, indoor queue rather than wait in line for their ride. Waiting in super long lines is boring and sucks; most things are going to be considered preferable to it.
If Disney somehow did manage to make it so you couldn't do another ride while you have a DAS, I don't think abuse would go down much, if at all.