Never. When I first saw Zelda games, I didn't even know what they were called, as my cousin was the one playing. I asked him what the main character's name was, and he told me it was Link.
I don't really mind, as both have their advantages. Button: Save anytime, anywhere. Statue: Know exactly where you will be when you turn on the game, no being warped backwards.
The fact of the matter is, I don't dislike any of the dungeons. But my most feared, due to sheer complexity, is the Great Bay Temple in MM. I always get so confused.
I truly disagree with you. Though the puzzles were fairly simple, the sheer number of them made up for it. I never found the dungeons to be too short. And is the lack of exploration anything new for 3D Zeldas? Your partner practically always tells you where to go in all of them. And the gameplay...