It might feel faster, because there's less wandering around in a literal "clicker" game, and it's also easier to get into it for short periods of time.
I "want to like" Animal Crossing, too. A friend calls the 3DS version his favorite game ever.
Animal Crossing: New Leaf on the 3DS is by far the best Animal Crossing, there's just no contest. I still have a soft spot for Wild World on the original DS though. =)