If you request a room, make sure you arrive early or before check in time. We flew from California and arrived at 1:00 a.m. Friday and were ready to request Congress but that was not available. We ended up at the Carousel section which is very far from everything. When she told me where our room was, my mind went right to the disboards where I had heard people mention this fact. One night we walked from Downtown Disney to our room and I arrived exhausted! We consider ourselves "walkers" but the Carousel was far, even for us.
But, it was early when we arrived at VB a week later and we were given a fabulous 1 bedroom with an ocean view. So it seems that if you want to request something, be prepared to arrive early.