The problem with that is that Wailing Caverns is a terrible instance. It's three times as long as it needs to be. Go solo it sometime - it truly is far too big.

It's true that WC is rather poorly designed right now, but they're redoing a ton of old world content. It seems to me that they could both make a heroic version of WC while at the same time improving (read: streamlining) the instance overall.

I *have* solo'd it. I love soloing it, actually; I've sold more Gloves of the Fang than I can remember and it's a great money-maker!

I dunno, I guess I'm in the minority but I think the "sprawling" factor is part of its charm! If nothing else, it's hard to imagine all those raptors being crammed into tiny halls with no room to run.

I think we've just been spoiled by mounts, to be honest. There *is* a lot of running in WC and it feels kinda slow when you're used to riding everywhere, but it still doesn't take all that relatively long, and it gives you a chance to take in the scenery! But, I'm very sentimental... I can see why people might think it's too long; I just never really thought about it because that particular aspect of the instance has never bothered me in particular. ^_^;;

I think they're making heroic Shadowfang Keep somewhat for lore reasons (worgen and whatnot).

It's actually the opposite, many horde do RFC and skip WC. WC was fine back in vanilla, but once people found out how long it was, and add in the fact that no matter how many times you do it you can still get lost in that dam place, just about every horde skips it now while leveling, and dreads it when it comes up in the Dungeon Finder. I ran that place so many times for various reasons(taking alts through, LW mats, 'of the Fang' set pieces), for the way blizz is trying to streamline everything, it really is very outdated now.

The Barrens gets cracked in half, but I'm sure all those caves underneath make it through the cataclysm just fine

Well, part of the incoming cataclysm descriptions say that part of the barrens have become lush again because of the druid's successful efforts. Since WC is headquarters for druid efforts in the barrens, that seems to suggest big changes in the instance itself...

On a somewhat related note, WC is yet another example of people going underground and subsequently going crazy. Naralex took up residency underground in the caverns, connected to the dream, and began having nightmares that affected the minds of his druid followers. Emerald dream-old god connection?

Check out this article. Most mind blowing loregasm ever about the old gods, emerald dream, and dragonflight connections: http://greyshades.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/cataclysm-or-catalyst-speculation-on-the-future-of-azeroth/

Wow, this is funny timing. I just soloed WC on my rogue last night.
I agree both that its size is part of its charm and that it's annoying to slog through.
Having Wowhead up with a map with bosses marked is REALLY helpful. =)
I think if we could just mount up in there it'd be fine.
Oh, and one shouldn't have to go back to the start of the instance to get what's-his-face; he should just appear in the final boss chamber. At least that's how I feel on the matter.