I did NOT know that! I was basing my requests off Tikiman page maps. Are you saying those are outdated? I actually would have preferred lagoon view for this reason. So, I have a 50-50 chance iPod no balcony (2nd floor)?!?? That's unacceptable at the price point.
You would need to ask him, but his first floor view categories don’t really match my personal experience with LV rooms and many folks who report on the CL thread.
One thing Disney does take pretty seriously is room view categories. Since construction of the Bungalows, hardly any of those first floor rooms have a legit castle view. Maybe if you shift to one side or the other you can see it in between Bungalows, but it’s far from the same kind of TPV you get with most of the rooms on the second and third floors.
Many rooms on the first floor did use to be TPV back in the day, pre-Bungalow.
For me, personally, when I want first floor so the kids can run out to the beach, I book LV. But, there are LV rooms on two and three too (rooms where the castle view is blocked by a palm tree), so first floor isn’t guaranteed either.
In terms of TPV rooms - I’ve stayed TPV several times and all but one time I did get my third floor request. The one time I got the second floor, I was really bummed when I got the text - but after actually staying in one it really wasn’t bad at all. Not my first choice, but I didn’t hate it as I thought I might.
I hesitate to question Tikiman info, so like I said, best to ask him via his website or Facebook page. Just relaying what has been my experience.
Sorry for being long winded, but hope that helps.