Here's the thing, Adbed. What you're feeling is nostalgia.

Think if it like your first love (if you've had one). It's never going to feel the same. It's never going to feel quite that epic, or traumatic. There's been plenty of awe-inspiring situations, and many people would go from FFXIV to FFXI and wonder where your sanity went.

It's a matter of perspective, and yours is similar to a lot of FFXI veterans, but not the same as many, many more.
Heck, even FFXI isn't the same as it was anymore. Ask the people there, they might even tell you it's better now.

So, you're ask the question of when FFXIV will ever live up to your nostalgia? I'll tell you right now: Never. Because you're measuring it against memory, and not opening yourself up to new experiences, new perspectives.

Let it go, man.