After all the big downloads (got a VMware update and the multi-gigabyte Microsoft downloads all today), it's VERY simple to set up and get working - just create a new Windows 7 VM but opt to install the OS later. Then point the virtual DVD drive to the Windows 8 CP ISO file on the host system and power up. Pretty much the same process as installing the Windows 8 DP.
I created an x64 VM and Win8 CP installed smooth as silk. Also VMware Tools went in without a hitch. I'm now testing things. Seems stable so far.
Note that there is now no Start button at all in the Desktop environment, implying something like ClassicShell could fill the bill and keep the user from having to stumble through the Metro interface very often.
-Noel