Cyrodiil is NOT GW2 AVA, it is actually very far from it in mechanics. Cyrodiill uses the same system that Darkage of Camelot did. You basically feel like you are building a character so you can always be ready to go to your lands in Cyrodiil and protect what is yours. GW2 did alot of things that changed the system like making PVE and PVP seperate, the maps reset after 2 weeks and even having 4 mini maps where each feels liek a seperate battle match. Even the map layouts lets you get everywhere fast and you had no sense of importance where you were on the map and every objective just felt like it was up for grabs and really didnt belong to anyone side.
Cyrodiil is much different, it is massive and where you are on the map has importance as you cant just jump around the map fast, it also has the battle line sense of where the fight is and an actual sense of going behind enemy lines. Campaigns last 90 days but the map NEVER resets. Its a constant world, this makes accomplishments last until enemys take action to change that. There is no waiting for resets or giving up. ALso Cyrodiil is very important to you because the PVP of who controls what effects your PVE, You gain bonuses, character power, gold income, and exp progression. In this sense Cyrodiil is the core of the game. Also the enemy alliance can completely change your plans with their actions. If they go after one of your Elder Scrolls you will get the "call to arms" to leave what your ding like PVE or crafting to go and defend. One more thing is the PVE world of Cyrodiil. There is dungeons, and quests. mixing PVP and PVE also adds another flavor to the map