I like the earlier simpler times too, but most manufacturers have moved towards making routine maintenance more difficult in order to drive more service revenue to their dealers.
There are two ways to do this procedure, one using a jumper cable on the DLC connector and going by the AT Temp light according to Service Manual instructions, and the second using a scan tool that shows the actual transmission temperature in real time.
Replacing all the ATF in one go is possible using an exchange machine, but most people disconnect the lines to the cooler up front and change the fluid a gallon at a time (disconnect, drain out one gallon and replace one gallon by running the engine, repeat till clearly pink, reconnect) which is just as effective.
I opted to drop the pan because I wanted to replace the filter and see the condition of the magnets.