suggestion for you ---- after always requesting PREFERRED rooms at the POP i once asked for a STANDARD and was surprised to find myself staying in a room only 7 doors away from a PREFERRED i stayed in on a previous trip and then i was to learn that i could request a particular section even if i asked for a standard ---- SOOOOOOO request a 60's room and you will find yourself wonderfully located with central access to everything at the resort.
Now I'm not sure if this is accurate, as a few years have passed, but my family had the understanding that ALL rooms in the 60s building are considered to be "preferred." Therefore, if you request a room in the 60s, you would be paying the extra charge per night for a preferred room.
In the end, we got a room in the 60s building, very close to the pool, without paying the extra fee. This happened by chance, as when we checked in there just happened to be a room available. It was likely just pure chance.
As far as requesting in advance or choosing when at the desk, I would suggest the 70s building if you cannot get the 60s (without paying the fee.) We have stayed there twice and it is still a short walk to the main building. Staying in the 60s was nice, but I would not pay the additional nightly fee for that location. Really by the time we walked past the pool area, it didn't see that much closer than walking from our rooms in the 70s. I would rather spend that additional money on souvenirs or more Dole Whips
I would also have to say that there is a difference between getting a room and it hasn't been vacuumed, compared to an overall feeling of dirtiness. It is annoying to need to call the desk because you find peanut shells on the floor, that shouldn't happen. However, I would say the resort is overall very clean, as it is very new and in general, well maintained. It doesn't have the overall "ick" feeling that an old hotel can have, if that makes sense. Any resort that sees that many people on a daily basis is going to have an occasional un-vacuumed room, unfortunately. But I'll take that over a bathroom that you can't stand to shower in because the tub looks disgusting. Pop never gave me that feeling in the 3 times I have stayed there.