My issue with this change is that my toolbar animations now look and feel totally different than other mmos, of which I occasionally play quite a few.

I'm the type of person that likes having my UI in similar games fairly similar, so I can IGNORE the UI, and focus on the gameplay itself. That's why having a customizable UI is important in the first place. I can put my skillbars where I like, HP, party list, primary target, focus target, questlog, etc. They all go in my "usual" spots, so I only have to pay minimal attention to them.

This is like having my car speedometer updated to suddenly flash bright lights in my face when I'm accelerating. Yes, it helps me know I'm accelerating, but I don't need that information. Give me the option to turn it off so my car gives me information the same as other cars.