So what I'm wondering is; is this really just all in my head or is there a greater understanding of this dream world that I havent figured out?
I think some lucid dreams are people messing about in their personal subjective subconscious. Other lucid dreamers seem to report that there's an objective consensus reality that you can visit. i.e. it's NOT all in your head, and other people can meet you in the dreamworld and share experiences that you will both remember.

It looks like you had a full on false awakening to LD, so you are probably exploring that vast objective reality.

Frank Kepple and Monroe talked about the dreamworld a lot. Kepple wrote a lot about what was going on in the different focus levels.

Good Luck...