Hello there! I'm looking for some opinions from you POP go'ers!

When you've made special requests for certain rooms/locations, how have you done it? Do you fax the information to the POP as mentioned on page 1, or do you have it added to your reservations somehow?
Last year I sent a fax a few days ahead of schedule (as instructed here) and I did get the location I wanted although I paid for preferred. This year we decided not to do preferred but I'd like to request a location but not a specific room. I've read lately that they are now ignoring faxes since they get so many

and that it must be on your reservation? Can I call and add it to mine if I booked through AAA?
I'm just curious which ways you guys have done this and I promise I understand nothing is guaranteed!

Would I be okay with faxing only like I did last year?
Thanks in advance!
Heather