actually, the world record for leveling can't be less than 2 days, since it would take at least 6 days of playtime to get to 70 (that is, if you have a really good leveling class such as a hunter or rogue, and you know EXACTLY what your doing)
I myself played wow for a very long time, since the day it came out. I did eventually get bored of it, and i quit it every once in a while and came back a few months later. I am currently not playing wow, and probably wont again, at least until WotLK comes out, since I wouldn't have time to raid.
wow IS an end game based game, and that's where it's all at. I hated the leveling (specially since 40-60), but the arenas and raids are way too much fun. This is my personal opinion, and you have every right to have your own, however, it does not change the fact that wow is either the best or one of the best MMORPG's of all time.
EDIT: It could actually be less time to get to 70 if you do it with a friend, or a group. But alone it would take at least 6 days of playtime.