I get to try my hand at WordPress themes over the next few days. So far they are a tad easier to create than the complete sites that are promised with Moveable Type. WordPress has tons of resources on hand to guide you, and sometimes pimp slap you with how to create themes. Moveable Type, I really wished had more. What they do have is vague and not helpful at all.
Vanilla is a start, but to have page generation is what would be helpful to creating a new site. Especially with regards to creating sites for faculty and e-portfolios for faculty and staff.