I woke up this morning antsy and couldn't get back to sleep.  Lo and behold there must have been a reason, since the news just hit that World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria will be released on September 25th.  I guess my Blizzard sense must have been tingling.

Having spent some time playing this expansion over the years I can tell you that the look and feel of this content update is extremely different from those in years' past.  While Cataclysm represents a breaking of a world and an imminent threat of total destruction, Mists of Pandaria is more like the calm before the inevitable storm.  Not only does this expansion add in the first ever cross faction race and a new class, it also adds in Pokemon style Pet Battles to fill your days with cuteness and manic pet collecting.

Along with the announcement of the release date, Blizzard also let us know that a digital presale of the expansion is now in effect.  For the first time players can buy the game (even a digital version of the Collector's Edition) and be loaded and ready when the servers go live on Sept 25th at midnight.  That is, of course, you want the nifty red box pictured above.  Hit the jump for the details on the new Digital Deluxe and Collector's Edition loot, and I'll see you on the misty isle in two months' time.

The Digital Deluxe version of Mists of Pandaria includes a full digital copy of the expansion along with the following exclusive in-game bonus items:

• World of Warcraft In-Game Mount: Take to the skies of Azeroth astride the mystical Imperial Quilen flying mount.
• World of Warcraft In-Game Pet: Journey across Pandaria with the Lucky Quilen Cub at your side.
• StarCraft^® II Battle.net^® Portraits: Bring the Horde and Alliance rivalry to the far reaches of the Koprulu sector with exclusive Infested Orc and Night Elf Templar Battle.net portraits.
• Diablo^® III Banner Sigil and Accent: Display your status as a hero of Pandaria with the iconic markings of World of Warcraft’s newest playable race, the pandaren.

The Collector’s Edition of Mists of Pandaria includes the full version of the game on DVD-ROM and contains the following exclusive bonus items, in addition to the in-game content from the Digital Deluxe version:

• Behind-the-Scenes DVD and Blu-Ray: Learn about the creation of Pandaria with this two-disc set featuring over an hour of commentary, insider interviews, and developer roundtables.
• Collector’s Edition Soundtrack CD: Experience 20 orchestral pieces from Mists of Pandaria.
• The Art of Mists of Pandaria Book: Explore this 208-page hardcover tome featuring never-before-seen pieces from the expansion, from early concepts to final 3D renderings.
• Chen Stormstout Mouse Pad: Equip your desk with this special-edition mouse pad featuring the legendary pandaren brewmaster.