Hi Patty,
I love Port Orleans Riverside (POR), it's such a beautiful resort and the boat to Downtown Disney is a great perk.
POR has 2 distinct sections, the Mansions, which literally do look like big Mansion houses and have beautifully manicured gardens, fountains etc. Then there is the Alligator Bayou section, this has more rustic looking two storey lodges with lots of lush vegetation. Where you should request will depend on which section you'd prefer to stay in. I love a website called
www.portorleans.org it has some great information and some beautiful photos of the resort, including a map, and should help you decide which you'd like to stay in.
POR has 6 pools but I'm assuming that you would like to request to be close to the main Ol' Man Island pool. If you decide on the Mansions, my personal favourite, then the best rooms are located in Magnolia Bend and Acadian House. I've stayed in both of these and they are just a short walk from the main pool. For the Alligator Bayou section then the closest buildings to the main pool are 14, 27 and 38.
Requests can never be guaranteed but the best way to ask is via a short polite fax about 3-4 days before your arrival. The fax number for POR is 407-934-5777.
Have a fantastic trip,
Jo