Okay, I made my reservation. According to the travel assistant I just talked to, you cannot book connecting rooms of two different categories (2 queen room plus a king room). It has to be the same category. Also, you can only get guaranteed adjoining rooms in the non-preferred area, but you can get guaranteed connecting rooms in the preferred category. I don't know if it is worth spending another $500/room is worth it for a connecting room plus preferred location so I just booked the standard category for now, thinking I could always change it if I decide it IS worth it.
Let the long wait begin!