Regarding the idea of getting some sim time prior to class:
First off, if spending $200 puts you at ease for class when otherwise you'd be wishing you had & pinging for the weeks until you get into the sim, and you can afford it & want to do it, then by all means go ahead.
That said...
If you've been flying something else (the 1900, for instance) lately & want a refresher on the 737, I'd suggest the systems refresher at HPA (or the Nolly productions videotape -- dry, but a good -300 systems tape, useful for annual review before PC / PT sims). Guys show up for class all the time a year or three out from their type rating, and having flown stuff vastly dissimilar from a 737, and they do fine. No need to brush up on flying the Boeing, particularly since it'll be about 4 weeks or so before you actually go flying in the sim. There are enough sessions that you'll get the feel of the plane just fine before the checkride. Also, there are enough differences that brushing up in a -200 sim isn't entirely preparing you for the -300.
On the other hand, if you've been out of flying entirely for 2 or 3 years, the "hands-on" time *might* be worth the money, BUT I've talked with folks who went through the January class after being out of the cockpit for that sort of time, and they didn't have any particular problems. SWA also told them outright that they could have extra sim time before the checkride if they needed it to get the whole "hands" thing back up to speed. It really is a *training* program, not at all a "washout" program, and they fully understand what guys have been through waiting for as long as many of the poolies have. Everybody wants to see all the newhires succeed, and they'll do anything they can to make that happen. Sim time in the actual model you'll take your checkride in, with your sim partner, with a SWA instructor, will be much more valuable than doing it in a different box, possibly different partner, using non-SWA procedures.
So I guess my advice would be that even if you've been away from flying for a couple years, unless you're hard set on getting the sim time before class, I wouldn't push it too much. They'll give you as much assistance as you need, and you can save your $ for Wild Turkey or beer or whatever your beverage of choice might be!
Finally, if you DO go get the sim time, do your hand-on flying from the RIGHT seat! Trust me on this one.
Cheers,
Snoopy