Character Growth: Leveling is part of RPGs

[casker]

the leveling experience, outside of grinding groups and powerleveling, DOES take about 2-3 weeks.

lengthening the experience curve is only going to jack up the game further, make the story so you have to grind before you can advance, and make exp groups more essential than they are now as they will still be the only viable way to level up fast, and be the only way that won't drive people crazy (like it is now)

I'm not really sure why you bring up the island closest to hell, as that was an optional level up spot pretty much for the very end of FF8

You might not feel accomplished if you get to 50 in 3 days, but I don't see why simply making it longer should make you feel accomplished either if the content is the exact same.