I don't like gearing up for gear check encounters. I don't like getting myself set for a fight that requires you to execute some basic mechanics while rushing the DPS. But fights like Halion [H], Putricide [H], etc are my favorites. Raiding is fun when success is more about avoiding tunnel vision than it is mashing buttons.
I just can't stand doing the instance again (with the same character anyway), period. I can do them a few times, at most. Far less than it takes to gear up to anywhere.
This might be different if i had more IRL friends playing WoW or just a good guild. Good guilds are rare. At least for a casual player.