OK, I think part of the confusion is the term, "resort," itself. I am primarily talking about Walt Disney World itself as a resort experience overall, in addition to the "resort hotels" within it. The overall experiences such as golf, dinner shows, watersports, and places to explore are all part of the package.
As for the resort hotels themselves, I understand the difference in price levels, but even the "value" resorts at WDW have a resort premium built into their pricing structure. They are double or triple the price of "value" motels off property. But more important, I would note that in the comment you last quoted, I specifically referenced new more expensive hotels -- the Bay Lake Tower and the Coronado tower -- that are essentially big Hiltons with little or no theming or things to do built in. While my argument is broader than that -- that the Walt Disney World Resort needs to pay more attention to its resort amenities overall; I can also include the idea that the newer resorts, even the more expensive ones, have not added real "resort" amenities.
Compare this to Fort Wilderness, which had real "resort" amenities galore but yet is a campground. Even Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings) had fishing options built in, and the Boardwalk Hotel had, ahem, a 1920s-era Atlantic City boardwalk built in for WDW guests to stroll, rent tandem bikes, shop, and eat.
Poly would not have to shoulder a burden like you suggest if they paid attention to the resort elements of the whole WDW Resort -- including hotels -- as they built new places. Fort Wilderness is the proof for the accommodations, but the topiaries, golf courses, sports areas, lakes, shopping, restaurants, spas, walking trails, beaches, mini-golf, horseback riding, carriage rides, electric water pageant, and other things are the "other" things that can be accentuated and plussed as part of the resort experience.
And I can definitely say that water ski sports, shows, and characters on water skis can play a part -- and leave a lasting fun memory.
But the main point is to pay attention to resort options alongside parks, and they will find a balance that works.