Price increases for WDW have far surpassed (USA) inflation. Middle class Americans are now priced out of Disney more than before, not less.
As for MS, I'll let pictures be my hyperbole. Old on top, current below. Note for example the size of the sidewalk trees, the absent trees in front of the castle, the quality of the garbage cans, the transportation that used to be out more. Not to mention the invisibles such as the disappeared attractions of the Cinema, Penny Arcade and Disney Story, and the removal of an entire side street, the flower market and boutique shops.
When I speak of a 'barren MS', this is what I mean:
Edit: for the connaisseurs: do you note the dimishing of the forced perspective? In the top picture the castle appears much taller than in the bottom one.