Tauren are Blizzard's version of Minotaurs which are a high fantasy trope and have been since it's inception. The Minotaur predates most other fantasy figures.

Humanoid Pandas that are affable and like to get drunk and do Street Fighter 2 Ryu Whirlwind Kicks for their AE dps? Sorry, it's obvious panda-ering to Blizzard's new target demographic. For me, it *is* too much. It's childish. It's something a 10 year old appreciates. Most of the other in-jokes and such in the game wouldn't be and aren't as appreciated by kids that young because they don't grasp many of those references.