1. Is a Preferred Room really needed and which building should we request? In the Values (due to the exterior doorways and open areas where kids on tour groups/atheletics tend to congregate and occasionally practice)...we discovered that far more important noise wise was to be on the upper floor (also has the advantage of no one walking on your ceiling or bouncing a basketball when you are trying to nap). As with most places, you also tend to have a better view when at altitude.

If I were going to try to request a specific room I'd go for the top floor of the sixties building, facing the interior courtyard, at the end of the building near the generational bridge.

2. How is the transportation? We had good luck and good service with our buses at Pop and our stya was during the super busy holiday season,.

3. How is the food at the food court? I'd rate it as average, kind of comparable to what you would find in terms of quality and variety at a mall in a fairly good sized city.

4. How are the pools (we know our pool views are forever tainted because of SAB)? The pool is big...not much else to say about it.

5. Is the size of the room adequate for 2 adults and 2 kids (11 + 8)? the rooms are def on the smallish side
Like I said, it's going to be an adjustment for us for sure but I love trying out new resorts. Also, we are big resort people and not exactly what folks would call "Park Commando's" so the resort is as important to us as the parks are.
Given your final comment I might suggest (if finances allow it) doing a split stay...starting at the pop and maybe finishing at Coronado where your will get the bigger queen beds for your last couple of nights and use of a really nice pool (with slide) and hot tub for mom and dad