If I understand who is in your party correctly:
1) if you have more than 2 people in a room (not counting one baby under 3) you can't have a King. So if you're friends have at least one child over 3, they have to have a double.
Connecting is not guarenteed, but you can request it, as well as a king.
If you are not booking for your friends, ask if your ressies can be linked(???)
2) Request "Closest to Classic Hall" That should get what you want.
3) Do it over the phone. Always better to talk to a person.
4) Don't stress over location, Pop is so nicely sized that any location is pretty good. Decide whether connecting or closest to Classic hall is your preference, and put that first. Have a great trip!