If you hated Wind Waker, you'll really hate Zelda U.

[Pavolink]

I get your point but you can't compare 1:1 both overworlds. Yes, design is similar as there will be big wasted parts of the overworld, but it will be part of an interconneted overworld similar to Twilight Princess, Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.

Unlike these games, The Wind Waker overworld was splitted into many islands across the great sea (or the sky in skyward sword).

I also understand you are mentioning that because the auto epona doesn't run into threes, but as far as I know, I can control epona. This is just an option, and I can already control the king of the red lions. It will give players a similar feeling, but it won't boring as the sailing.