If Abyssea's xp-o-tron didn't exist, the number of page camps that exist to replace it are huge. Honestly, it was the most damaging decision S-E made, as it utterly rendered to trip from 1-99 actually a quick PL to 30 followed by leech mode.
Whether or not it was "damaging" depends on how much you actually enjoyed the level-up process. Those that want more of a challenge to come from their leveling are totally welcome to find like-minded individuals to grind with. Competent players can still get really good EXP outside of abyssea, and you have a wide variety of locations to choose from.