The likely scenario is that MR and ER probably always shared joint custody with physical custody granted to ER (this is an assumption contrary to the facts as we have them). This doesn't mean MR was entitled to 50% of Dylan's time unless a visitation agreement originally specified it. (Again, an assumption because it doesn't mean that MR wasn't entitled to 50%).
The parent with physical custody typically has more time with the child and weekends, one-two days weekly, every other holiday and time during summer vacation is typically spent with the non-(physical)custodial parent. This would be a Friend of the Court standard. (But not always the case where the parents both live in the same school district and either parent can continue the child's activities without disruption).
After ER moved, the court granted ER permission to continue (again, "continue" is an assumption contrary to the facts we have, but probably a correct assumption) physical custody in the new location, but the visitation schedule probably needed to be spelled out. Without documentation, MR would not have the authority to see Dylan whenever he wanted because even though there is a "typical" visitation schedule through FOC, without a court order, MR couldn't just demand a visit whenever he saw fit. In other words, MR had visitation rights, but they had to be spelled out to be enforceable.
The question was why MR didn't see Dylan when he lived in the same area and I think that was a good question. (Again, an assumption, contrary to what we know - they shared custody 50/50 - so why assume that MR did not see Dylan?) Now if ER didn't allow Dylan to see MR when they were living in Bayfield, MR would have needed to request court ordered visitation then as well. But obviously there was no problem and ER didn't force MR into court to enforce his rights back then so why did MR find it necessary after the move? (Because, as a father, maybe he didn't want his son to be so far away, making it more difficult for them to spend time together). To aggravate ER? Power and control issues? What exactly prompted him to request a formal visitation schedule at this time? (These questions and implications are frustrating to me. Why is it that if a father attempts to ensure that he is not excluded from his child's life - it becomes about everything BUT the fact that maybe the father loves his child? I don't understand that - fathers are parents too.) It sounds to me like he could have seen Dylan any time over the years but ER said he didn't see him much. So why did he feel the need to go back to court just because she moved? Did he think she would refuse if he simply said he'd like to have Dylan for Thanksgiving? Nothing reported about her refusing visits previously. Maybe he knew Dylan didn't want to visit and ER wasn't going to force Dylan to see dad. Was it Dylan's reluctance that prompted MR to turn to the courts?