Almost all of the BC CL Standard rooms have full balconies. If you see water, it's a waterview. If you book a standard room CL, you have a 50/50 chance of getting a pretty ugly view (roof). Ask yourself though, is spending that extra money for a waterview worth it? Will you really be spending lots of time out on the balcony or when you are in the room are you most likely just sleeping or showering or changing clothes. Only you can make that decision.
A request is just that ... it's a request. Nothing is guaranteed. If you definitely want a full balcony, then make your request "full balcony please" on your reservation. However, if you are booking CL standard view, you might not really care about that full balcony. Doubt they are going to sit out there and look at a roof. Requesting a nice view if you book a standard view ... well, everybody wants a nice view and there just aren't that many ... hence why it's a standard view. Depending on how full we are, chances are if you book standard view rooms, you are probably going to get a view you really aren't thrilled about. There are a few that are pretty but those are the courtyard views and there just aren't many of them.
If you book a water view, definitely make your request "full balcony please". That should take care of it. I hate to give people false hope. I'd rather you be pleasantly surprised. If I told you you had a good chance of getting a garden view when you book the standard view, I'd be lying. There are a few, but not that many. Personally, I could care less what the view is and I don't care about the balcony since I'm only in the room long enough to sleep, shower and change clothes. But plenty of people spend lots of time on their balcony, having coffee or wine and looking out at the lake. If your parents are like that, then you should definitely book them a waterview!!