You will check in at the CR just like any other CR guest because, well, you are a CR guest--you just don't have to pay as much!
When we went in April we thought we would be treated like bad step-children or something since we were staying at a high priced deluxe resort for only $66 a night. We were not treated any different than anyone else!
I do not know about room requests. try calling the CR or SoG and asking them directly.