If you have not done so already, call the reservation center (DRC) at (407)-939-4357 and have your requests added to the reservation. You will want to do that as soon as you can. You don't need to drop what you are doing right now and rush to the phone to do it, but I would make it happen in the next day or two.
That is really all you need to do to make sure the CMs at the resorts see your requests.
Faxing in requests is an old practice that some people still cling to. By policy, fax requests are to be ignored. Some CMs obey this rule, some do not. It will not hurt anything if you do it, but as long as you have your requests noted on the reservation the CMs will see it. Room requests via fax only are a shot in the dark.
Calling the resort is generally a no go as well unless you're already checked in and are staying at the resort. From what we were told by Disney at TA training, and also backed up by several CMs I know in the DRC and at the resorts, the resorts can do very little with your reservation until you are checked in so if you do call the resort prior to arrival, you are often just transferred to the DRC.
Lastly, regarding requests as I noted earlier in the thread...Don't make your requests too specific. I have seen quite a few people make request like "room 2451" and that is it. While it is perfectly acceptable to request a particular room, you will also want to let them know why you want that particular room. If room 2451 is unavailable, the CMs have nowhere else to go with your request. They might think you wanted that room because it was away from the elevator, but you really wanted it because it was close to your favorite parking spot.
Don't count on getting requests for rooms outside of your booking category. If you book a standard room at PORS and request a king bed room, the chances of you getting it are small as a king bed room is a higher cost, bookable room. They might give it to you if it benefits the resort, but if you want a room in a particular category, booking it will be your best option.
It is also worth noting on your request if you are willing to take a later check in if you check in online. If you note a 11:00 AM arrival they will often try to give you a room that is ready at 11;00 AM. If your requests are more important than getting into your room before 3, have that noted on the reservation as well.
That is pretty much everything you would ever want to know about making Disney resort room requests.
