When should you put your location request in? Also can you request a preferred location? Or is the only way to get one by paying for it? We won't be checking in until around 5PM will that limit our request? I assume the early bird gets the worm?
If you have your request in your reservation no need to do anything else. There have been some reports of being placed in a preferred location without paying the extra cost but it doesn't happen very often. If you pay for the preferred location you don't have to worry about it.
The preferred location (unless you paid for it) is not likely if the hotel is really crowded. You probably have a better chance in the slower season. I know the Disney resorts have been very crowded this summer. The BWI was jammed last month when we were there.