Just to update this story.
We checked in on 13 October, and we were assigned room 1001 - which is the only ground floor boardwalk view 1bedroom as far as I could tell. It was right next to the
DVC showroom, and right at the end of the corridor, but it was very handy for the backdoor near the Swan and Dolphin and the view was brilliant.
I didn't request this, or mention it to WDW at anytime, so I don't know if Disney read theDis (and if they do, I don't know how they would match up theDis me, with the real me), or if there was pixie dust in the air that day - but I was thrilled with our room - we had a wonderful view, and I didn't have any balcony stresses, my kids could go out on the patio and I didn't have to worry at all.