Online Check-in question
Why should I do it? If I do do online check in, will I still be able to request a room via fax or will it be negated because I've already checked in?
I've heard that on-line check in will not let me be as specific with a request as the fax process so I'm thinking it's not worth doing.
Yes, it's worthwhile doing. You can't enter any 'free-form' text requests into the form, just a couple of basic tickboxes, but your requests should ideally have been added in advance to your main booking so that won't really make any difference. After you have done online checkin, you are still free to send a fax 3-5 days out if you wish - if anything having done online checkin might help them, as they'll also be able to see your arrival details, etc.
The main benefits are: you can register your credit card and create a PIN number for all your key-to-the-world cards in advance; nothing to take up time at the front desk (your welcome pack, key-cards and room number will be put together a few hours before your stated arrival time, so it's all there waiting for you even if you are checking in quite late); when MagicBands are introduced, they will have been pre-made for you in your chosen colours and with your names on (otherwise you'll get generic grey ones set up at the front desk); you might even get 'Mobile Lobby' checkin service, where they can check you in using an iPad, rather than even needing to queue for the desk at all. The room assignment team suggest it too by the way, they say it generally speeds the whole process up for you.
The only downside I've heard anyone say is what happens if your requests have not been met and you want to change from the room you have been assigned? Well if that happens you're only in exactly the same situation as if you'd queued up for normal checkin anyway, you can still ask if there are any other options available and they can move you if one is found. And with the new RFID keycards they probably won't even need to print you new cards, they'll just re-assign the ones you've already been given.
So all-in-all, I can't really see any good reasons why not to do it. There are lots of plus, and no real negatives that I can see.
first timer here! Ok so we ordered the whole "they get our luggage and send it to our room" thing. Do we get luggage tags to put on our suitcases? How does it work exactly? Should I expect anything in the mail from our online reservation?
As long as you are based in the US, and assuming you have registered for the Magical Express airport transfer service, you will be sent yellow luggage tags in the mail. These tell the baggage handlers at Orlando airport to retrieve your bags from the flight and they are taken directly to the hotel and brought to your room (usually a little while after you arrive).
If you don't get the tags for any reason (we don't in the UK for example) you can still pick your bags off the carousel and give them to the Magical Express staff, who will then arrange for them to be sent to your room in the same way.
Andre
While we also view POR as our fav resort, we had a perfectly nice stay at CBR. We were in Jamaica, a great location next to the quiet pool. We use the quiet pools quite a bit, and the ones at CBR are very nice too. And thought the landscaping around the resort was beautiful. We had great bus service in the 10 nights we were there. And bonus, Jamaica was usually the first pick up. And i loved the beaches at CBR. So nice swaying in a hammock under a palm tree after a day in the parks. 
