There should be no question as to whether POTC has longer lines now than prior to the changes
I disagree. While I think there has been a bit of an increase, due mainly to the cross-merchandising effects of the movie, I don't think that it is correct to claim the ride was dying or desparate for an update as justification of the changes. People didn't dislike it the way it was before.
I think it has nothing to do with it changing - I think it has everything to do with changing the ride itself. Yeah, right now Jack is popular and wants to have a "Where's Jack Sparrow?" ride. But why through away something that was unique and not just another copy of any other theme park ride to capitalize on a few years of a popular movie?