Barbados is good but its a preferred location. If you can get standard and luck out on Jamaica (Request it/Probable) then it only adds 2-3 more minutes of walking and you pocket 40$ a night for some drinks
Our last stay was Jamaica, rooms 4554 and 4555 and they were very close to the bridge and not a far walk at all to the skyliner and the parking lot. We did not pay for a water view as these rooms are standard views, however you can see some of the lake and the bridge from the entrance and it's like two rooms down from more expensive water view rooms. Just be aware that there are water view rooms that can still put you a bit far out from the bridge. We liked bldg 45 for proximity to the bridge and skyliner. My second choice was Aruba 51 for the same reasons we chose 45.
We were there this year Presidents' Week, which was very busy. We had no trouble at all getting on. We were in Barbados; they told us in the morning there are two busses, one goes down the right side of the resort and one goes down the left side. MK bus was about 7:05am.
Thanks! And that's for an 8:30am early entry time / 9:00am regular park opening?
Yes, 8:30 early entry. We did mobile order for 7:00 am pickup (earliest they allowed), grabbed our bag and dashed out to the bus stop. It pulled up a few minutes later. So, probably more like 7:09.
Do you think this will be done by September 2024?
The rooms in Trinidad, they used to be the Pirate Themed Rooms.
So will all the rooms be renovated with the lil mermaid theme?
Only the Trinidad rooms are Under the Sea themed. Everything else is getting a refresh - new paint, swapping out the carpet for the hard floors, new curtains for the shower and windows, etc.
We just wrapped up a stay in a standard view sleeper in Aruba 55 (which wasn't my first choice) and aside from the room being a little on the older side, the location was amazing. From our front door to the gates at Hollywood Studios took about 10 minutes - and most of that is being on the Skyliner. Aruba 55 is super close to the Riveria Skyliner station and we never had any lines there or when transferring at CBR - even if we were up super early for rope drop.
Some of the Trinidad rooms (where the Little Mermaid rooms are) are close to the Skyliner, the first building is just over a bridge. If you can get one of these (although not as close as one of the Jamaica buildings) then it could tick both of your boxes.
I agree with duck in blue, ask for buildings 34/35 of trinidad. These are closer to the skyliner than the Trinidad outer buildings and while they are a little further from the lobby/main pool, than some other 5th sleeper rooms, at least you're getting a fresh, nice new room. I'd make a request, especially at CBR since it's so large. If you don't get it, at least you tried. I feel like disney does try to make good on requests when they can.
This is exactly what we're doing in June. I called the resort directly and made my request making sure to affirm that I understand they can't guarantee. At least this way I feel like I've tried! I feel like the room refresh makes Trinidad super appealing now - it's close to the Skyliner, and it's got Spyglass Grill. We never spend much time in the main lobby of our resort because we tend to rope drop/park close. We've never stayed at CBR, and I'm really looking forward to it!
I would also love to be both close to skyliner and have a renovated room! I put in a request too, but hopefully whatever we get will be great for our family.
