There's no correlation as to when the rooms open, they just do. The album's obviously coming December 25 or January 1.
Christmas Eve and Boxing Day are also probable, just for the "when you least expect it" aspect.
I'd rather before midnight on NYE, just so parties/bars/clubs can blast the album, but the NYE release just
sounds epic.
I think it'll be a completely digital album until January 8, as that's when an official worldwide release could be implemented.
I'd also love the idea of the album going into production and everyone being FORCED to sell the album. Poor Billboard!