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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
April 13, 2006 * Issue 6.13
PassPorter.com - http://www.passporter.com
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Welcome to PassPorter News, an online newsletter
about PassPorter travel guidebooks, the
Walt Disney World Resort, and Disney Cruise Line.
PassPorter News is available by free subscription
to all readers and friends of our labor of love --
PassPorter Travel Guidebooks.
Learn all about them:
http://www.passporter.com/aboutpassporter.htm
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In This Newsletter:
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From the Authors: We Have Treasure
Travel Feature: Hershey, PA
Disney Feature: Disney's Polynesian Resort
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: Tired Tootsies, Easy On The Ears, Matching Munchkins
Captain's Corner: Red Barns' Radio
Q&A: Should I book one larger stateroom or two smaller staterooms?
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FROM THE AUTHORS: We Have Treasure!
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Happy news! Last week we announced that the fourth
edition of our Disney Cruise Line guidebook was ready to ship, and this week,
we can say the same for PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World! The
books weren't ready earlier in the week as we had expected, so with the Good
Friday holiday tomorrow, we expect that pre-orders will start shipping out
early next week. Orders received after today will be on hold until all
pre-orders have been shipped (probably 1-2 business days). If you have a
question about a pre-order, you're welcome to contact us at
orders@passporter.com. As always, we put a priority on pre-orders for customers
that will be traveling soon, with the remaining pre-orders going out in the
order in which they were received. If you're interested in purchasing or simply
curious about our upcoming Treasure Hunts book, check out this new page with
information and some sample treasure hunts: http://www.passporter.com/hunts
We're pleased to report that the new, fourth
edition of our Disney Cruise Line guidebook has been shipping for the past
week, and all pre-orders have left our warehouse. Paperback pre-orders went out
first, and deluxe starter kits/refill kits followed soon afterwards, after
their assembly was complete. New orders are now shipping next business day.
Learn more about our new Cruise Guide at http://www.passporter.com/dcl/guidebook.htm
We're also delighted to announce that PassPorter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs is up for a second award as a finalist for the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best
Travel Guide. We'll find out the winner at an awards ceremony
on May 17 in Washington D.C. Good luck to our authors, Deb Wills and Debra
Martin Koma! This same book is also up for another award: the ForeWord Magazine
Book of the Year award.
In this edition of the newsletter, Melissa Calamera
makes her newsletter debut with an homage to Hershey, Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania, for chocolate lovers only?), and
Cara Costello makes her newsletter debut with a tour of Disney's Polynesian Resort. Finally, Captain Jack Skatt returns with a new treasure hunting game. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors
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DID YOU KNOW?
PassPorter Land/Sea Combo Deal
You asked for it, you got it! Here's a combo deal
for those of you lucky enough to be doing both Walt Disney World and the Disney
Cruise Line (or just dreaming of it). Getting the deal is simple -- just add
both a cruise guide (paperback, refill kit, or deluxe kit) AND a Walt Disney
World guide (spiral, refill kit, or deluxe kit) to your shopping cart in our
online store. At checkout, enter this code: DCLWDW, and you'll get 25% off the
list price of BOTH books.
Please note that this offer cannot be combined with
other coupons, discounts, or offers. Please also note that the discount is not
valid on just the looseleaf text sets of either the cruise guide or the Walt
Disney World guide.
Order today and save at:
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/combodeal.aspx
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TRAVEL FEATURE: The Great American Chocolate Town:
Hershey, Pennsylvania
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by Melissa Calamera, Guest Contributor
ÒHershey chocolate, Hershey chocolate, itÕs a
Hershey chocolate world. Wherever you go, no matter how far, youÕll always see
a Hershey bar. Hershey chocolate, real milk chocolate. Hershey, the great
American chocolate bar.Ó If I were to make a soundtrack of my travel
experiences, this song would be the first track. Growing up in New York City as
the child of travel lovers, my family and I were always searching for the
perfect family-friendly theme park. We did not need to search long or far,
though. On our very first family vacation, when I was only three years old and
my brother was a year and a half, we drove three hours south and enjoyed all of
the fun activities and unique adventures available in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Since our first trip in 1990, my family and I have
visited the ÒSweetest Place on EarthÓ four times. Once as a toddler, once was
with extended family, one was as a grade-school aged child, and once as a
teenager. I had an amazing time on all four of my vacations, proving that
Hershey truly is a place for all age groups and party sizes. I can honestly say
that Hershey feels like a second home, and with an endless array of things to
do, from theme parks to petting zoos to chocolate spas, I could continue
visiting the ÒThe Great American Chocolate TownÓ for many, many years to
come.
The first thing to do when it comes to planning a
Hershey, Pennsylvania vacation is to pick a place to stay. The obvious choice
here would be the Hotel Hershey. Looking more like a mansion than a hotel, the
Hotel Hershey sits atop majestic mountains and amongst regal fountains. Class
and sophistication are the name of the game here, with luxury and top-notch
customer service being the top priorities. Lavish would be the best way to
describe the hotelÕs dŽcor, with golden Italian sculptures and refined
paintings lining the walls. The Hotel Hershey is actually the only hotel in the
central Pennsylvania area to win the AAA Four Diamond award. DonÕt expect any
stuffiness, though. YouÕll find more kids whose hands are covered in chocolate
here than in any other hotel in the world! Rates vary by season, with Value
Season rates (running from January 1 Ð April 14) starting at $259 a night and
Summer Season rates (running from May 26 Ð September 3) starting at $379 a
night. More information can be found at http://www.hersheyhotel.com.
If youÕre looking for something slightly less
expensive, the Hershey Lodge is a great alternative. Located only three blocks
away from Hershey Park, the Hershey Lodge is a chocolate loverÕs paradise. With
chocolate themed dŽcor, artwork, and color palettes, the feeling of the lodge
is definitely snug and sweet. Comfort reigns supreme here, with the entire
lodge having a very down-to-earth and cozy feel. Warm lighting, an inviting
lobby, and a cheerful staff add to the ambiance of the lodge, truly making you
feel as if you are right at home. There are four restaurants located in the
lodge, as well as two lounges, an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts, and
an on-site miniature golf course. The Hershey Lodge is also Pennsylvania's
largest convention resort, and has been repeatedly certified by J.D. Power and
Associates as, ÒAn Outstanding Guest Experience.Ó Rates at the Hershey Lodge
also vary by season, with Value Season rates (running from January 1 Ð April
14) starting at $169 a night and Summer Season Rates (running from May 26 Ð
September 3) starting at $259 a night. More information can be found at http://www.hersheylodge.com .
Once youÕre accommodations are set, itÕs time to
hit the parks! The first part of any Hershey vacation should surely be a visit
to Hershey Chocolate World , a fun attraction located right next door to
Hershey Park. An array of Hershey characters will greet you as you at the
entrance, as well as the sweet, lingering smell of fresh chocolate. There are
several attractions located at Hershey Chocolate World, with the most popular
of them being the Hershey Chocolate Tour. It is a free ride during which your
group sits in a large candy kiss-shaped car and is taken around a replica of
the Hershey Chocolate Factory. Riders get to see how Hershey chocolate is made,
from the sweetening process to the packaging and marketing routine. DonÕt miss
the free samples at the end!
Right next to the Hershey Chocolate Tour is the
HersheyÕs Really Big 3D Show, an interactive 3D experience in which guests
learn the history of The Hershey Company before watching a Broadway-style
production starring Hershey bars, candy kisses, and ReeseÕs Peanut Butter Cups.
Unexpected surprises and hilarity ensue in this uproarious and witty musical
review. Tickets are $5.95 for adults (ages 13 Ð 61), $3.95 for children (ages 3
Ð 12), and $4.95 for seniors (ages 62+). Also located in Hershey Chocolate
World is the Factory Tour Experience, a chance for children to make their own
Hershey chocolate, and Trolley Works, a breathtaking train ride through the
gorgeous mountains of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
After learning a little bit more about Hershey
chocolate it is time to experience the main event, Hershey Park ! Known as the Òcleanest and greenestÓ park in the
world there is something for everyone here, ensuring that the entire family
will have a truly exceptional time. Thrill seekers will love the Storm Runner,
a premier roller coaster in which guests shoot out of the loading platform at 70-miles
per hour in only 2 seconds flat. It is a rush like no other! Water lovers will
enjoy the unique Roller Soaker, a ride that is part roller coaster and part
water ride. Riders dip, turn, and race along a suspended track while guests on
the ground shoot giant water guns at them. But donÕt worry, riders can get
their revenge by dumping up to four gallons of water on unsuspecting guests
below!
Children are not forgotten at Hershey Park, with a
variety of classic and unique attractions geared towards the younger set. Kids
will enjoy the carousel, railroad train ride, and bumper cars. Another great
favorite for children is the Turnpike, a driving attraction for kids who still
have quite a while to wait before getting their actual drivers license! There are
two tracks here, the Sunoco Classic Cars and the Sunoco Speedway, allowing
mini-drivers to maneuver both a classic 1900Õs period buggy and a race car. If
youÕre looking for attractions the entire family could enjoy, Hershey Park
features the Kissing Tower, offering panoramic views of the entire Hershey
area, and Hershey ParkÕs very own monorail.
Hershey, Pennsylvania is truly a unique town. With
candy kiss-shaped light posts and the sweet smell of chocolate always lingering
in the air, you will never forget where you are. Besides Hershey Chocolate
World and Hershey Park, Hershey is also the home of Zoo America (a large
wildlife park), the Hershey Bears hockey team, the Giant Center sports and
concerts arena, four PGA certified golf courses, and the Hershey Spa (the
perfect place the get a chocolate body wrap or take a white chocolate bath).
More information on the various attractions can be found at http://www.hersheypa.com . The possibilities here are truly endless,
ensuring that your trip will leave you truly believing that Hershey,
Pennsylvania really is the ÒSweetest Place on Earth!"
Melissa Calamera is a freshman in college whose
true passion is travel. She is currently planning her fourth trip to Walt
Disney World for this coming summer, and cannot wait to again experience all
"The World" has to offer.
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Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail
us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss
your Disney travel plans.
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DISNEY FEATURE: DisneyÕs Polynesian Resort
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by Kara Costello, Guest Contributor
From the minute you set foot in the Great
Ceremonial House at DisneyÕs Polynesian Resort, you feel as though you have
been transported to a beautiful, tropical island. You are surrounded by lush
foliage, tropical birds, and a stunning waterfall. And youÕre still in the
lobby! Wait until you explore the rest of the resort.
The Great Ceremonial House is the main building of
the Polynesian, and houses all the services a guest could need - check-in,
guest services, shopping, and restaurants. There are no guest rooms in the
Great Ceremonial House Ð these are spread out among the 11 longhouses: Tonga
(which houses the suites), Aotearoa, Fiji, Tuvalu, Hawaii (the concierge
building), Samoa, Niue, Rarotonga, Tokelau, Tahiti, and Rapa Nui. Disney is
currently renovating the rooms at the Polynesian, one longhouse at a time, with
very little disturbance to guests. The renovations to the guest rooms include
the addition of flat-screen TVs and upgraded bedding. The rooms are spacious,
with plenty of space in the drawers and closets. Many rooms have balconies or
patios. Some even have a direct view of Cinderella Castle.
The location of the Polynesian makes it perfect for
Magic Kingdom fans. You can take the small resort launch across the lake, or
the monorail, which stops at the Grand Floridian and then the Magic Kingdom.
You can also walk from the Polynesian to the Ticket & Transportation Center
to catch the Epcot monorail. Buses depart from outside the Great Ceremonial
House to the Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, and
the water parks.
Say youÕre taking a day off from the theme parks
and are wondering what there is to do at the Polynesian. Plenty! The Polynesian
has two pools - one quiet pool, and the main resort pool, a themed pool located
beyond the Great Ceremonial House. The themed pool has a smoking volcano
waterslide, and is zero-entry, meaning you can walk right in, just like you
would at the beach. No more steps or ladders to climb down. There is a snack
bar located just to the side of the volcano pool, for sodas, tropical drinks,
and quick snacks.
Speaking of snacks, you have plenty of options for
snacking if you can tear yourself away from the pool. Located on the ground
floor of the Great Ceremonial House is Captain CookÕs, a quick service location
that serves great burgers, chicken strips and more. They also have a fairly new
ÒGrab & Go" section with prepared foods ready to go. Upstairs in the
Great Ceremonial House, there is a coffee bar located right near the monorail station,
perfect for a quick cup on your way out to the parks. 'Ohana and the Kona CafŽ
are the table service restaurants of the Polynesian. Lilo and Stitch host
breakfast at 'Ohana, while at dinner, itÕs an all you can eat feast with
skewers loaded with grilled pork, beef, chicken, and turkey. The Kona CafŽ, in
addition to their great menu, has amazing desserts. In the mood for a show with
dinner? Check out the Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau, held nightly in Luau
Cove, weather permitting. The Luau, while recently re-invented, has been
entertaining guests since the resortÕs opening in 1971.
Want to work off some of those calories? Then hit
the shops! There are several stores located in the Great Ceremonial house,
where you can purchase anything from artwork (Wyland Galleries), to clothing
(BouTIKI) to souvenirs (Trader JackÕs) to snacks (Samoa Snacks.) You may even
find a grass skirt for sale!
Still looking for something fun? Kids can burn off
extra energy on the playground or in the arcade. Or you can rent a boat from
the marina to take a cruise around the Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake. There is
always something fun to do at the Polynesian.
At night, the tropical ambiance is just amazing.
The PolynesianÕs pathways are lit by flaming torches, while Polynesian music
wafts through the air. Find a spot on the beach or boat dock and watch the
Electric Water pageant float by. Make sure you donÕt miss the great views of
the Magic KingdomÕs Wishes fireworks show, which can be seen from several
points on the Polynesian property.
All in all, the Polynesian has everything a great
resort could offer, plus easy access to Disney magic to boot. If you choose the
Polynesian for your next Disney vacation, you will have a wonderful time.
Aloha!
Kara Costello lives in South Boston, MA, and works
for an HMO when not planning her next Disney vacation.
We've heard from fans of a number of resorts - but
not all of them! Here is your chance to make your case - why is your favorite
Disney resort the best resort of all? Send us an e-mail at news@passporter.com
for details on how to contribute an article to convince the rest of us.
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Did you enjoy this article? Have questions? E-mail
us at news@passporter.com or visit http://www.passporterboards.com to discuss
your holiday plans.
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UPDATES: What's New and Changed
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Here's a few of the new developments at Disney:
Disney has announced a new attraction to be added
to The Living Seas at Epcot in Fall 2006. The Seas with Nemo & Friends will
use technology to add the stars of "Finding Nemo" to the real marine
life currently residing in the aquarium. The former Sea Cabs from SeaBase Alpha
will be transformed to become Clamobiles which take you on a trip with Mr. Ray
and his class. "Students" can expect to meet Dory, Bruce, Marlin,
Squirt, Crush and, of course, Nemo along the way.
Continuing on this "Finding Nemo" theme,
Disney has announced that Finding Nemo: The Musical will replace the recently
closed Tarzan Rocks show in the Theater In The Wild at Disney's Animal Kingdom
by the end of 2006. Disney has recruited some top Broadway talent to create new
songs, and the onstage presentation has been inspired by Disney's Lion King on
Broadway.
Barely noticed among the other announcements made
at the April 7 grand opening of Expedition: Everest is that Disney's Magical
Express service will continue to be free-of-charge for the foreseeable future.
The service provides complimentary bus transportation between Walt Disney World
hotels and Orlando International Airport for Disney hotel guests. While Disney
had announced earlier that it had reached agreement with Orlando International
Airport on extending Disney's Magical Express (originally set to end later this
year), there was no mention then of whether Disney would continue providing it
on a complimentary basis. Good news for guests, bad news for other ground
transportation providers.
Aretha Franklin has been added as the headliner of
the Tom Joyner Family Reunion concert series. The Reunion will be Labor Day
weekend 2006 and also features performances by performers such as Kirk Franklin
and Sinbad.
Warwick Davis, star of Return of the Jedi (Wicket
the Ewok), will host this year's upcoming Star Wars weekends at the Disney MGM
Studios. Davis will appear every weekend in addition to two other Star Wars
personalities. The schedule so far: May 19-21 - Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Rick
McCallum (Producer), May 26-28 - TBA, June 2-4 - Jay Laga'aia (Captain
Typho), TBA, June 9-11 - Jeremy Bulloch (Bobba Fett), Temura Morrison (Jango
Fett)
The Disney Cruise Line has changed the Room Service
menu, adding Southwestern/Mexican accents. The new menu is posted on the
PassPorter Disney Cruise Line message board at http://www.passporterboards.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1195184
>Things To Do: Hear some news? Send it to us at
news@passporter.com
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DISNEY TIPS FROM FELLOW READERS
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Our readers are a wealth of information! Here are
the winners in this month's tip contest:
TIRED TOOTSIES
"Bring along some foot soak. (John's
Foot Soap is my favorite.) After a long day in the parks, fill your bathtub
half full and add the foot soak. One or two can sit on the edge of the tub and
soak those tired feet. You'll be amazed how great you'll feel afterwards."
-- contributed by Sue F. (smf614@...)
EASY ON THE EARS
"Earplugs have become a lifesaver in this
family. Our 4 year old daughter is sensitive to loud noises and sound. On our
daughter's very first trip to Walt Disney World last October, she became very
distressed and held her hands over her ears on her first couple of rides due to
the loud nature of the rides. She was not enjoying herself at all. We picked up
a pair of earplugs at a local drug store. After that, my daughter was
unstoppable!! The rides did not hurt her ears any longer, and she could still
hear everything. They are available at most drug stores."
-- contributed by Brian Winn (morrow52@...)
MATCHING MUNCHKINS
"We have four children and when we tour the
parks, we dress the kids in similarly colored tops (bright yellow, for
example). This makes them easy to spot and our group pictures turn out
great!"
-- contributed by Pam I.
>Notes: Send us your tips! You may see them in
this newsletter and win a copy of PassPorter! Visit:
http://www.passporter.com/customs/contest.htm
Want more Disney tips? We've collected 500 of the
tips submitted by readers over the past six years -- most have never been
published before. All have been edited for accuracy and categorized. The
"Disney 500" are available in e-book form for immediate download. For
details, visit http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disney500.htm .
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CAPTAIN'S CORNER: Treasure Hunting Game
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Play our fun and quirky treasure hunting game,
hosted by Captain Jack Skatt from our upcoming book, "PassPorter's
Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World."
The Captain makes a study of the delightful details
-- sometimes hidden, sometimes in plain sight but often overlooked -- at Walt
Disney World and aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Using notes from his journals,
he will lead you to this "treasure" at Disney with clues, questions,
photos, or riddles. Your challenge is to discover the answer by searching your
memory, visiting Disney, or even just looking really hard on the Internet. If
you think you've found the answer, e-mail it to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the
first person to correctly submit the FULL answer will receive a free PassPorter
enamel pin or PassPorter name badge pin.
Here is this week's treasure from Captain Skatt's
Journal:
"At last! I hold in my hands the first copy of
the new PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World book. Good day, good
day. Now I need to get the word out to my fellow treasure hunters. I've put in
a call to Red Barns, the Rowdiest Rooster on the Radio. I'm sure he'll
broadcast this good news to the town! So get your radios out and tune in to
W-... (rest of text obscured by celebratory cake)"
What are the call letters for Red Barns' radio
station near Goofy's Barnstormer?
Congratulations to Christy Vermillion who was the
winner of last week's treasure hunt game! Christy correctly identified the
color of the bride's flowers as white. To view the original clues, see the last newsletter at http://www.passporter.com/news/news/0041306.htm
Send your full answer to jackskatt@passporter.com -- the winner will be notified by e-mail and
announced in the next newsletter, along with the correct answer!
If you enjoy treasure hunts, we've got an entire
book with over 100 distinct treasure hunts and over 1500 questions, complete
with clues and contributions from Captain Skatt. We will release the book --
"PassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" -- in April 2006.
You can pre-order the new book today at http://www.passporterstore.com/store/1587710269.aspx
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Q & A WITH JENNIFER & DAVE
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been dreaming of a Disney Cruise. I would love to
go on a Disney Cruise December 2008 or January 2009 to celebrate our 20th
wedding anniversary. My children at that time will be 15, 14 and 10. Would it
be best to book a cabin large enough for all of us or book two smaller cabins
instead? Any ideas on cost?"
Jennifer and Dave answer: "Generally, it'll be
cheaper to go in January than December. Usually, it'll be cheaper to book two
staterooms in Categories 8 or 9 (outside, porthole) than to book one Category 4
"Family Suite" that sleeps five. If you must have a verandah
(Categories 1-7), then you may find the Category 4 is more economical than two
Category 5-7 staterooms (but it can be a close call). There's almost never a
circumstance where a suite (Categories 1-3) is cheaper than two staterooms of
any other kind, but you may be willing to spend the extra money for the space
and amenities.
There's really no such thing as an 'average' cost
in the cruise industry. The rates for each category of stateroom will vary,
based on demand. You have to make direct comparisons, based on a selected
sailing date. The range of rates displayed at the Disney Cruise Line web site
will give you a general idea, and we have additional information in our Disney
Cruise Line guidebook, but that will only take you so far. Ultimately, the
number of families that want/need a Category 4 stateroom on a given sail date
is what really matters."
Have a question? Post it at
http://www.passporterboards.com --
and if you're lucky, you may find that folks have already asked and answered
the same question that's on your mind!
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WANT TO GET PUBLISHED?
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Big News! PassPorter News is now published weekly.
This means we need more articles than ever! We're on the lookout for guest
columnists who want to contribute articles to this newsletter. No professional
writing experience necessary, just a desire to share your experience with
others! Not only is this a great way to give something back to the PassPorter
community, but you get to see your name in "print" and receive a $25
gift certificate.
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