Go for the 50's section! We had a room facing Hourglass Lake, room 3118 and it was like a lake-view at a value resort! There was no noise and the view was very open! Plus just around the corner was the Bowling Pin pool and a 2 minute walk was the main building!
My opinion is don't waste your money on a preferred room, a majority of the rooms are just as "far" as the 50's and 70's with only a smaller portion facing the main pool/main building.
Mike