I cant remember exactly how it started. It did
not start with a mouse. That much I know.
But something set the wheel in motion. And once started, it has yet to stop.
What wheel you may ask? Why the Dining Roulette, wheel, of course! The one I spin almost daily in an attempt to better my previous ADRs.
Somewhere along the way, I got the notion that, with two Einstein fans along (Leo with his Little Es and B with his Baby Es), we all might enjoy lunch at Hollywood & Vine more than the Brown Derby. Once again, the wonderful Rhonda was able to score me an ADR and we canceled the Brown Derby. That makes ADR change #4.
Not long after it may even have been the same day D hit me with some exciting, yet anxiety-inducing, news: her sister, E, *might* be coming down and joining us at WDW.
Okay, for the record, I really like E. I met her when D and I were just getting to know each other and E and I totally hit it off. I havent spent a lot of time with her, but I know shell make a fun addition to our group!
But.
Remember ADR change #2? The one in which Rhonda was able to switch all my ADRs to tables for 5? Join me now for a little arithmetic:
V = 1
Leo = 2
Gramma =3
D = 4
B = 5
E
6!
Ive done my time in the restaurant biz. I know 3 adults, one child and a high chair will fit at most four-top tables.
Sometimes, that same party is seated at a 6-top. But only if the 6-top isnt needed for a party of six.
However, a party of six will not, under any circumstances, be seated at a table for four. Not at WDW, anyway.
So what was I to do? This was only a couple weeks ago, so a bit over a month from our trip. From what I could see on the DIS, ADRs were flying off the shelves for early May. If I waited to know for sure that E was coming, there might not
be any more ADRs left for our (my) restaurants of choice. If I changed all our ADRs for 5 into ADRs for 6, and E didnt come, would we lose our spot in line? Just as bad would our party of 5 be stuck at the cruddy 6-top in the back, next to the restrooms?
And. I was NOT about to embroil Rhonda in all of this craziness. Id given her enough already and whatever commission was coming her way was definitely not worth dealing with my Dining Roulette.
So I took matters into my own hands. Get ready with those flame throwers I can take it
Firstly, I decided the safest bet was to make some new ADRs for a party of six. And keep the existing ADRs for five, until further information came in about E.
Next, I worried that if I made new ressies at the same restaurants in my name, then canceled the old ones, the wrong ones might get canceled inadvertently.
Third(ish), I figured I could make the new ADRs under Grammas name and cell number, thereby separating the ADR lists. This way, I could cancel from either list without affecting the other.
ADR change #5 complete.
Brilliant, no?! Okay, okay, I felt a smidge guilty about tying up precious ADRs.
But Gramma, who can out-rationalize even me, put it this way: I was merely securing some tables for those poor folks who dont know they need an ADR and try to walk-up. Shes right, by Lime! Guilt assuaged, I continued planning the trip.
Until Gramma announced that she needs to attend a training class on one day of our trip. No big deal its only a 2 hour drive, so shell just be gone for the day and we can have fun without her. Good thing I kept the ADRs for five, huh?!
But she did mess up my itinerary. Gramma loves EP, hates MGM and AK, and doesnt have much to say about MK. I had us scheduled for EP the day shed now be gone. A few changes to the master spread sheet and all was well again. Except that it royally messed up the ADRs for a couple days.
Are you still with me?
We were now a party of 3, 4, 5, or 6, depending on the day and whether or not E comes. My head is spinning now just thinking about it.
Again, I was afraid to mess with the existing ADRs with everything so up in the air. Any idea how I handled it?
Im betting some of you have me figured out. Yep I made some new ADRs in Ds name, under her cell number. Really, flame away I deserve it. But, gosh-darn-it, Im GETTING my dining on! And. Thats ADR change #6. In case you were wondering.
I had to call D and let her know what Id done, on the off-chance that WDW Dining chose to call her about her ADRs. She actually asked me: Do you have all of these written down so well know which is under whose names?
Oh cmon she knows me better than that! I informed her that I,
of course, had an entire spread sheet keeping track of all this. To which she replied, Sorry, I forgot. Of course you do.
Okay so at this point, I have ADRs every day for parties of 5 and 6, half in my name, half in Grammas. I also have a couple random ADRs in Ds name. I had no choice but to sit and wait it out while E made her plans.
Dont worry this ones not a cliffhanger! Are you even still reading this mindless drivel? Hello??
A couple days ago, I got the call
E is coming, but not until May 3. I made a beeline for the spread sheet and felt the smile spread across my face, warming my entire being.
This was PERFECT! The only ADR I couldnt get for 6 was Ohana. But with E not arriving till 5/3, the remaining 5 of us could use the ADR Id kept for a party of five on 5/2. And, for everything else, Id made ressies for 6.
Something told me not to cancel anything just yet, and Im glad I didnt. D called last night: E really, really wants to go to AK, the one park I wasnt planning. No problem they decided to do it on our last day, while Leo, Gramma and I hit the MK and EP.
Uh, YEAH, problem
. thats the day I booked the Garden Grill for lunch!
And the CM specifically told me they put a party of 5 at a different table than a party of 6 there. And the 6-top wasnt in a great location. Guess who was on the phone this morning, making an ADR at Garden Grill for 3? Uh-huh ADR change #7.
I also canceled some of the no-longer-needed party of 5 ADRs in my name. Tomorrow, Ill cancel some more in Grammas name that we opted not to use. Thatll make ADR change #8.
Sure hope I dont regret it.
To end this ridiculous post, I present to you
our dining:
Dinner at Boma
Lunch at Hollywood & Vine Play & Dine
Dinner at Ohana
Dinner at Concourse Steakhouse
Lunch at Biergarten
Possible dinner at Coral Reef if were hungry and not too tired
Lunch at Garden Grill
Now, on to other things.
It's cause there was a dude thread yesterday!
) Hey, I've got an idea! 
You could make Leo a 'Big 5' WDW Birthday coupon booklet that he can use on this trip. He can tear each coupon out and exchange them for his favorite things in WDW. 
Just think... if you like AKL... pretty soon you'll be able to stay at AKV with your DVC points! Oh yeah! 
ixiedust:
Well, THAT was a doozy! 
BTW I really hope you guys get the English sarcastic humour 
