I did that trip and it was well worth it. Can't comment on the other trip. I saw heaps of happy pandas doing their thing (which is basically eating bamboo all day) and lots of babies being cute. I also liked the red pandas a lot. I went on a rainy day so there were few people. Like you I'm not particularly panda-mad, so this was enough for me to feel I got a good panda experience. I'd recommend it.