Hi
William!
How exciting! Only forty days before you experience the magic again! I'm super thrilled for you!
You can certainly do online check-in ahead of time. However, room requests for a specific area of the resort must be added to your reservation by a Cast Member. You can call
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside at 407-934-6000. Ask for a Royal Guest Room in Oak Manor. This is one of the most desirable locations at the resort due to its proximity to Boatwright's Dining Hall, Ol' Man Island (main pool area), the resort's lobby, and a bus stop. Though Disney will try to honor all room requests, they cannot guarantee them. I would suggest double-checking with the resort a few days before you are due to arrive, just to be sure the request is noted on the reservation. The Royal Guests Rooms are due to open there on March 9. However, I will encourage you to keep checking the
Disney Parks Blog for updates and current information. Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.
Wishing you a fairy tale dream experience at the Walt Disney World Resort!