FWIW, a view of the Boardwalk/EPCOT is the most frequently requested view. Unfortunately, only about 20% of the available rooms are BW/EPCOT views. Preferred /Standard view are only relevant if you are a DVC member or renting points from a DVC member. CRO reservations are "run of the house" (guests can end up in either). Standard views are those overlooking the hotel entrance, driveway and parking lots. All others are considered preferred. In addition to views of the Boardwalk/EPCOT, some preferred rooms have views of the main pool (Luna Park), some overlook the canal and the Swan/Dolphin hotels, and some have views of the quiet pool and Community Hall building. Some of the latter have views of the Tower of Terror and the fireworks from Fantasmic. Many of the "better" views are a long distance from the elevators. BWV has only one set of elevators (but many convenient stairways).
DVC members (points reservations) have priority over cash/CRO reservations. Rooms requests (points reservations) are considered in the order the reservation was made. For example, someone who makes a reservation at 11 months has priority over someone who makes a reservation at 10 months and 29 days.
That doesn't mean that you won't (or will) get your request. One of the biggest variables is the number of rooms that are/will be vacant on the day you check in. If all the BW/EPCOT rooms are occupied, no one checking in that day will be able to get one. If only one is available and someone who made their reservation before you did requested it, the room assigner will give it to that person.
The room assigners try to meet at least you first request - for many, that is their smoking/non-smoking preference. The assigners will assume that your requests are listed in the order of importance to you. The front desk CMs do have some leeway to move people around, but my understanding is that ability is limited and they don't like to do it. BWV has a very high occupancy rate - it is usually full, even in the slower seasons.
The only way to guarantee a view of the Boardwalk is to reserve a Grand Villa (3 bedroom). All of the Grand Villas have a view of the BW.
HTH. I love the BWV and believe you will have a wonderful stay no matter what the view. Enjoy!