Seeing as the Wrath of the Lich King Beta probably will be starting after WWI shortly after WWI (hint that it’s coming soon), and that we know it is in alpha stage right now, there is only a matter of time until we get some (non-fake) leaks or official words from Blizzard. Remember that the Burning Crusade intro cinematic was released WELL in advance before the actual expansion…
If there is anything in particular that is a concern of yours, and you’d like us to take up with the developers of WoW, make sure to ask them in this thread. We will make sure to be prepared with all your concerns when the opportunity to ask these questions arises. If that is as late as WWI, so be it, but I have a gut feeling we’ll see leaks, previews or some way to find out what is on our minds before that!
If you are either interested to know what direction Blizzard is taking its development, or might want to “influence” with well put questions, you raise your voice in the forum thread.
I highly doubt the beta will start shortly after the WWI. WotLK is only in internal alpha right now and isn’t even in the F&F Alpha which lasts a few months.