We stayed there 2 years ago in the preferred section, Dalmatians. We did it only because DD was/is obsessed with 101 Dalmatians! We walked all over the resort and it didn't seem like the standard rooms were that much farther away. We never had an issue with noise being in a preferred room. If we stayed there again and didn't care about the theme of the building or room we were in, I would not pay for preferred. Hope that helps! You will have so much fun. We sure did!