Easterhay said:
Yes, the bait was attractive enough but by the third episode Rebels was drenched in Disneyness. As you say, it wasn't so evident in the beginning but the franchise holders are flexing their muscles now. So, yes, their presence has increased notably.
It's always been there, regardless of whether something distracted you from noticing it or not. And it's pretty easy to get distracted when somebody does Star Wars the way it hasn't been done for such a long time.