I made my December reservations this past Thursday..
The CM asked "me" if I had any special requests beyond non-smoking.
I said, "Well, I don't think it really matters any more, does it?"
He said, "Well, yes, they were trying something different in an attempt to get people into their rooms earlier." "They've tried it before, but then they'll switch it back, then they'll switch it back again..."
He told me that I "should" give him my requests - as they'll probably be blocking rooms again - as they were before - by my trip in December.
We'll see...