I liked having the larger viewing area. I remember a few years back trying to get in to see some of the bigger name team was pretty close to impossible if you didn't get there at least 10 minutes early. The traffic would back up only entering from one side. It made it a lot easier to catch teams.
But I didn't like the awards hike. Luckily I had a pass and was able to cut through back stage. If I wasn't I probably wouldn't have gone. Too far to walk through the performance areas, up the 34897389 escalators, through the lobby, down the halls, down the 4398094 escalators, past warm ups, and into awards. Also, spectators had to go back through security and have their wristbands checked to get back into the competition from awards. That was annoying.
I do however feel like I was walking a lot more with this set up. The stages were further apart, and my feet hurt pretty bad after all that walking. Overall, I think the new layout was more practical. Although I think the old layout definitely had a better awards location.