joe, in all fairness how many years have you been going to Alaska? I may be mistaken but I think you have family in Fairbanks so that's an excellent reason to spend your time there.
However, most people have only one chance to make the trip and some, like this poster only has a few days. I recommended the boat cruise out of Fairbanks and yes, there's a lot more to see. However, he's on a short timeframe and seeing things in one area would make better use of his time.
I wouldn't classify one-time travelers as having Disney mentality. The reason they come is for the whole outdoor experience. They're not expecting amusement parks.