Soarinfan; unless it's pooring I wouldn't use the CBR vans or shuttle anyway. I use a powerchair myself and was informed it would not fit the vans (whereas my manual would). To be honest? You wait for the van, which can take some time when you don't arrive at the same time as others. In that time, I've always crossed the road from Custom House to Barbados and from there got to my room (trinidad north and martinique so far). Especially with a moterized aid it is not a long haul at all, and quicker than any van or internal resort shuttle option!
Talk to special services and they will take care of everything. Any problems after arriving? Let the CM's know! I have only ran into great CM's at front desk with very caring additude to attend to whatever need I might have.
About mousekeeping; there are better and less apples out there. We just came back from 13 nights/14 days. The first 10 we had a great person most of the days. She didn't only do her work properly, but left towelanimals, showed us how to make them, kept us supplied with all kinds of extras besides the known shampoo etc. and even regularly came by for some small talk. After the 10th day, she (and a lot of others) got reassigned to a different resort, due to lower room occupationcy levels at CBR.
The last days? Another mousekeeper and you could see it! We even had to ask for shampoo, allthough one would think that no bottles left would mean automatically getting new ones. I was in the room for 3 of the 4 times she was in there (sick

) and was not impressed, it was a quick quick get in and out. Didn't matter too much for us (last days anyway, don't make a mess), but did call about it, as I don't think that should be the standard. One thing that did stand out like a sore thumb; one of our towelanimals got taken away! Weird, weird, weird, when you count into the story that as far as I know that room was only excessed by mousekeeping on that day (was in the next room, with the connecting doors half shut).
During our stay the pool at Barbados got closed, it still was when we left on monday afternoon.
One question that has me wondering; has anyone ever stayed in an accessible room (themselves needing it or not, doesn't matter to me) other than in the preffered buildings? Reason I ask is because I had a bit of a strange stay at CBR. We were in a building with A LOT of people with mobility aids. Not 3 or 4, but as much as 9 at the same time. We've seen people come and go, but relatively a lot of chairs and
ecv's. I've booked a standard room twice, and twice have gotten the building right next to OPR at either side (Trinidad North and Martinique). For me it could've been just luck, but my neighbours during this trip did make me wonder. Did they put all of us in building 26 to do us a favour with regards to the short distance to OPR, or are there more accessible rooms located there?
Our stay? Great, as expected. We had rooms 2619 and 2620, connecting rooms. 2620 has a roll in shower and therefor king bed. 2619 has 2 queen beds and is a corner room. For some it could be bothersome that these rooms are right across from one of the designated smoking areas. My (smoking) mom loved it. I don't deal with smoke well at all, but didn't have any problems at all when normally using the hallways. As said; we were in building 26 and therefor almost WITHIN OPR. Great!
Just like last time, the CM's were lovely. I was suprised by how many recognised me from last year. Nice to run into one specific CM, which gave me the oppertunity to learn that WDW indeed follows up after a kuddos mail and what had happened to his 3 other coworkers I also named in the mail (are now working at other resorts, incl. GF). A lot of the CM's kept popping up from all kinds of places to open doors, hold trays, help out with anything, even before I could ask for help or even show any hint of perhaps needing help. Must say; had a lot of this by others guest also, during this trip.

Did notice a larger amount of managers out on the floor.
Just as at the parks, I did see quite some research going one and at some busstops there were signs on multiple days about them trying out different bus stopping/loading spots. The bus was a positive experience in the bigger picture. Never waited long, except for transportation to AK. That seemed to be the persisting thing during the 2 weeks.

Some busses did get crowded early on, especially those to and fro MK and DTD during the last weekend (read; great discounts on specific merchandise

)
The concierge desk at OPR got my thumbs up. We wanted a couple of hard-to-get ADR's. Unfortunately my travelparty didn't listen to my story about the need to start planning 180 days out and there being one very picky eater in the group. The CM's got me Akershuys, Chef Mickeys, Cristal Palace and Le Cellier at reasonable times (for instance 5.30pm at Chef Mickeys). Funny thing is; I would call Disney Dining first; nothing. Got myself right over to the desk, and sure enough, time after time they would be able to get it for me. Some took a couple of times, but I could never get anything by phone and concierge could.
I had the unfortunate streak of being sick the whole time down there. Again a lot of empathy from cm's and some great pixie dust. Our bus to the airport wasn't scheduled to leave until 5.30 pm. Great, hours and hours you can spend in the parks!!!

A bit less great if you know check out is at 11 am, or sometimes at the latest at 1 pm, and you are longing for rest, a bed and private restroom within the hour of leaving the room. So I informed about the possibilities for a late check out and it's costs. They checked up on it, the room wouldn't be needed until the day after. So a short talk to the manager on duty later, they activated my ressie so I could be in the room until I had to go to the DME. When asking about the rate, I was told there was none; I had paid enough by now, just get better soon.
The new pool is great, as said so many times before!! The refurb has done good. The rooms look fresher, cleaner and the new carpet was lovely. One minor thing are the smaller closets. Maybe it is just my imagination, but I had the constant feeling I could store a significant amount of clothes and souvenirs less. DID like them removing the bench in the room with roll in shower. I had one in my room at Trinidad North last year. Now without one, it was a lot easier to make all kinds of 360 degrees turns with my powerchair.