Most room assigners at the resorts are not looking at faxed requests anymore. At least that's what we've been told on many occasions here. Make your requests when you book your room and be done with it. They really do try to meet at least some of your requests but sometimes it just isn't possible.
I do remember one time at POP I had requested a lake view, top floor. I didn't care what bldg..just wanted to be by the lake. What did I get? Ground floor facing the bushes that faced the parking lot for the 80's bldg. Yes, the lake was over to the side, off to the right. I asked the CM is there was anything else available. I just hate being on the ground level when staying by myself...all that foot traffic. The CM looked at me like I had two heads and told me, and I quote, "Wow, most people would kill for this room. And no, there is nothing else left." She was the worst CM I have encountered to date, in about 15 trips to WDW. She didn't even check to see if there were any other rooms open. Now, the room was actually fine, not much foot traffic at all, but that had more to do with the fact that it was waaay out in the boonies of POP.
But, for the most part, the checkin CMs have been really good about trying to get us into rooms that fit some of our request. In fact, I have had the best luck at POR...they have bent over backwards to get me in a terrific room, every time.