I definitely know more democrats than republicans (my area votes 80% democrat). But they are highly educated people (think U Chicago, Georgia Tech etc.) still believing every opinion their favorite news outlet sells them. I find that disturbing. Not the fact that they believe most of the party lines, but believing and defending ALL of them, like the party can do no wrong.
My experience is also the opposite fwiw. To be fair, I don't think I know any democrats who actually like the party. They're more "not republican" than democrat. Maybe the democrats you've talked to are the true believers. The only example I can come up with that matches your experience is my dad, so maybe it's generational?
That is exactly my experience of most Republicans in a red state. Every Trump talking point, every coronavirus conspiracy, it all gets eaten up. There are exceptions, to be sure, but a surprising number of otherwise thoughtful people accept it all unthinkingly.
