Room requests are pretty much useless at SSR. Villas are assigned on a ready room basis. You will be given a choice of any villa currently ready to go at the time you check in.
We checked into SSR on Oct 9th at 10:30 pm and were given the choice of 2 Paddock villas. So much for the Congress Park/DTD view request.
That said, make your request anyway... especially a smoking preference. The earlier you check in, the greater the chance you get what you want.