The reason why OLC can give its additions a higher budget is because, effectively, they are just operating the parks. While that makes things a little more risky when tourism takes a hit (cough, cough) it makes it to where the parks cash cow isn't used to float other company segments during rough patches. For years, parks has been Disney's "reliable earner" in order to support on and off years. Thats why Studios is encouraged to take more risks than parks.
They alternate. WDW was in the middle of an unprecedented CapEx spree while DL was (relative to WDW at the same time) left out to dry. WHile WDW was building 4 E-Tickets on top of their SWL, the entire front half of Epcot being redone following TSL, in addition to hotel expansions, more work on Springs, new developments at ESPN.
Meanwhile, on top of their SWL, DL was getting TSMM 2.0 with a lightly themed Pier replacement. And don't forget two flat ride reskins! And, way down the line, a clone of one of those WDW E-Tickets. All while their DtD plants were put on indefinite hold. If we say that TSL was equivalent to Pixar Pier (it wasn't, but being generous), MMRR is a wash (which timelines dictate isn't entirely true), and that the entire Future World Project with Guardians is equivalent to Avengers Campus (once again, exaggerating to prove a point) WDW still comes out way on top.
Sure, I'd agree that DLR is better with refurbishments of existing attractions, like Pan as you mentioned, but in recent history WDW was definitely getting the better hand.