Question about expansion

I recently came back after quitting shortly after launch to play dark knight. I've spent the last 4 weeks leveling to 50 while keeping the main story quests up to date. Now that I'm 50, I look in the database and see over 100 main story quests leading up to "before the dawn", which I read is required to access the expansion content. Am I reading this right? I have to do 100+ story quests before I can unlock dark knight is is there a quicker path and not all of those quests are required?
I've looked online for the answer but have had no luck.

You have to do them. There is no other way. It's story related why you go to Ishgard.

I came back a few days before 3.2 dropped and picked up on my l40 PLD where I left off in late '14. I was excited to access Ishgard and unlock DRK as well but man, there a TON of quests between 2.0 and 3.0 and you must do all of them. It probably took me 10 days.

As Antonio said, the reason you go and are allowed into Ishgard is all related to the Main Scenario and its storyline. Without that, there would be no reason to go. While it is quite a bit to swallow, its not something you have to do right away, and you should take your time and enjoy the game as you have been.

Don't forget you can just skip cutscenes if you really don't care about them. It'll make it go a bit faster.

Don't be so eager to rush the story, its fun, enjoy it while it lasts.

The story quests are crucial to the entire game. It answers some questions while bringing up new ones. Don't rush the story and enjoy the ride