This one is simple. The Cataclysm Beta started June 30th and Release final for play Cataclysm, December 6th. I am unclear as to whether the June 30th date was just the start of Friends and Family or not. I am also unclear as to whether Friends and Family for MoP, started just now, or some time ago.

The Cataclysm beta went from June 30th to December 6th, but that's sort of deceptive. As I recall, the old world changes and the talent tree updates went live weeks before beta - wasn't it mid-November? And the pre-beta elemental invasions started up even before that.

I also think that Cataclysm was a larger expansion, considering the changes to the old world. So given that, it's quite possible that we'll see Mists sooner than 5 months.

And Blizzard has already said that a number of changes (Theramore) are happening before the expansion drops. So I suspect that if you want to get a raid together to beat up on Jaina, better do it quickly.

0 access to beta servers for anyone not invited ( I know because I downloaded client though I didn't get invited YET, i have annual pass so I know I'll get in eventually) . Server screen shows up as blank for uninvited.

In the Beta FAQ I believe they said Friends and Family would be among the first people invited, which leads me to believe there was no F&F Alpha. It was most likely closed to employees only.

I talked to a guy that was in the Friends & Family (alpha? beta?) near the end of April 2010. He was dumb and not really a gamer from what I could tell, so I can't guess how long he'd been in it, but it didn't seem like too long.