You may request anything (building, location AB versus mansion etc) but as always, its just a request and not guaranteed. As far as water view, it may be a side view of it, etc (dont mistakenly think it is a full on view) Is it worth it? Well, we always pay for the preferred room location (its buildings 14, 18 and something in the 30?) and the reason for that is that we find the LOCATION superb in AB section, its right near the food court/restaurant , main south depot, etc etc.
Some say the room location matters not, as does the room view, but years ago we learned...we looked at a parking lot UGH, it is Disney after all, and looking at that lot was such a turn off for us... POR is our all time fav and having been there many many, can I say many times

, we choose the preferred and even request 18, weve always gotten a great room and location. We ALWAYS also ask for first level and have not gotten second. So, I say ask with your initial reservation (if you can) and then politely re-ask when you step up at check in, dont wait till after they hand you paperwork with your room assigned

By the way POR is an amazing resort Have a MAGICAL time...
we should be there right now, but our pup got quite sick (vet was here today, so some meds etc and he should be okay soon) and we couldnt board him

so here we are on COLD ny

!
I wish we were there..
Oh, refurbed room was nice, actually preferred old set up...that little bed from tv area was strange and the storage was lessened,