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PassPorter News
News, Announcements, Updates, and Tips
August 31, 2006 * Issue 6.33
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: One Buck PassPorter is Back!
Travel Feature: Meet Me in St. Louis
Disney Feature: Parasailing
Updates: What's New and Changed
Tips: In-Flight Coloring, Disney Dining at Home, T-shirt Tip
Captain's Corner: Skatt Meets Scat
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FROM THE AUTHORS: One
Buck PassPorter is Back!
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Hi, {{user("firstname")}}!
It's time for our annual earlier edition offer! Get
a copy of PassPorter Walt Disney World 2005 (spiral edition, complete with 14
organizer pockets) for just one buck, plus
shipping/handling. Our $1 PassPorter is a GREAT introduction to the PassPorter
concept. The information is a bit out-of-date at this point, but there's still
a lot of good stuff in there and it'll give you a feel for our style and
coverage. Plus, the fold-out color park maps, pockets, worksheets, and resort
maps are always useful. Very limited quantities are available (fewer than last
year's offer). For more information and to get your $1 PassPorter, visit the $1 PassPorter page at
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/onebuckpassporter.aspx
The 2007 edition of PassPorter Walt Disney World is
now available for pre-order, with an expected release date in November. Get
details at our 2007 Pre-Order Center at
http://www.passporterstore.com/store/2007.aspx
Will you be on the Disney Wonder December 3-7?
We'll be there, along with (so far) 205 other MouseFest cruisers.
We've got a wide range of activities planned for the cruise, at absolutely no
cost to you. This is a great chance to meet us and other members of the
PassPorter community. After that, we're on to Walt Disney World from December
7-11, taking in MouseFest's land-based activities with over
1,000 other fans of the Mouse. What is MouseFest? It's an International
gathering of Disney fans at Walt Disney World and on the Disney Wonder,
bringing together people from over a dozen web sites and communities, nearly a
dozen authors, a half-dozen podcasts... and the list keeps growing. There's no
cost to join, and except for the necessary theme park admission, almost all
events are free. We'll be enjoying attractions together, snacking around the
World Showcase, playing trivia and scavenger-hunting games, and gathering for
MegaMouseMeet, a grand meet-and-greet event at the Swan/Dolphin where authors
will be autographing, podcasters will be 'casting, and old Internet friends
will meet face-to-face for the first time. We encourage you to check out the MouseFest.org web site, and
to register so we can
keep you up to date on all the fun. Whether you join us for just an hour, or
fill your vacation with MouseFest events, you'll have a great time! Visit
http://www.mousefest.org
Looking for updates for your PassPorter? We now
have recent updates for the PassPorter Walt Disney World 2006 edition and
PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line (4th Edition) online. You'll find both (as well
as updates for earlier editions) at http://www.passporter.com/customs/
bookupdates.htm . Our thanks
to Nikki and Chad who worked hard to get these updates together!
This edition of the newsletter takes you to from
the gateway of the west to the blue skies of the world! Guest contributor Sarah
Mudd takes us on a delightful tour of St. Louis. And we can
fly high in the sky as Dianne Cook brings us a review on parasailing at Walt
Disney World. Then our very own treasure hunter Captain Jack Skatt serves up a
new treasure hunting game at Walt
Disney World. Enjoy!
Jennifer and Dave
PassPorter Authors and Publishers
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For full details, visit http://www.mousefantravel.com/?apid=ptp * As to
Disney artwork: ©Disney
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TRAVEL FEATURE: Meet Me in St. Louis
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by Sarah Mudd, PassPorter Message Board Guide
and Guest Contributor
Along the Mississippi River on the
Illinois-Missouri border, youÕll find the city of St. Louis. Known as the
rallying point for Lewis and ClarkÕs journey to the Pacific Ocean and called
the ÒGateway to the WestÓ, the city of St. Louis has something to offer
everyone of every age.
The city is represented by the Gateway Arch. Opened
in 1965, the Arch was built to honor President Thomas Jefferson and his vision
of a continental United States, and is part of the Jefferson National Expansion
Memorial. There are elevators to take you to the top of the Arch Ð a whopping
635 feet up! Ð which offers spectacular views of the area. Tickets are $10 per
adult, $7 for youth and $3 for children. If you hold a National Park Passport,
you can get a discounted admission of only $7 per adult. Other sites in the
Memorial are the Museum of Westward Expansion, which chronicles the country at
the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the historic Old Courthouse,
which is where the Dred Scott trials took place (a case which helped lead the
U.S. to civil war).
About four miles west of the arch is Forest Park, dedicated in
1876. At 1,293 acres, it is approximately 500 acres larger than New YorkÕs
Central Park! The Park was the location for the 1904 WorldÕs Fair (also known
as The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, and the setting for the movie musical Meet Me In
St. Louis). Nowadays,
at Forest Park, you can find the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History
Museum, Science Center and the Muny, AmericaÕs
largest outdoor musical theater. It also serves as the location for the
Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis and a sports center of sorts, with golf, tennis,
baseball, biking, boating, fishing, ice skating, rollerblading, jogging,
rugby... you name it!
Speaking of sports, if you are a sports fan, the
city of St. Louis has got you covered. The St. Louis Cardinals play baseball at
the beautiful and brand spanking new Busch Stadium downtown from April through
October, the Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis Rams pack the Edward Jones
Dome from late August through December, and you can catch the Rams at their
practice facility in Earth City during the late summer. The NHLÕs St. Louis
Blues bring hockey fans into the Savvis
Center from October through April, and if you are into car racing you
can find the St. Louis/Gateway International Raceway just across the
Mississippi River in Illinois.
And what is watching a game without a cold beer?
Anheuser-Busch offers free tours of the breweryÕs World Headquarters seven days
a week. The tour starts with a visit to the famous ClydesdalesÕ stables, heads
inside to the Brew House then on to the packaging area before ending in the
Hospitality Room. At the end of the tour, guests that are 21 and over can taste
samples of Anheuser-Busch products and poke around in the gift shop. You can
learn more about brewery tours at http://www.budweisertours.com/home.htm .
I really enjoy visiting another
Anheuser-Busch-owned establishment, GrantÕs
Farm. GrantÕs Farm
is an attraction built upon the 281 acre Òancestral homeÓ of the Busch family,
a portion of which President Ulysses S. Grant founded and farmed in the 1850s.
President GrantÕs log cabin still stands on the property. The farm currently
has 1,000 animals representing more than 100 different species from six continents,
which you can view by tram and on foot. If you feel a bit peckish, or feel the
need for a sample of Budweiser products (and are over 21), stop at the
Bauernhof to visit the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality area. You can get samples
inside, visit the gift shop or grab a bratwurst, pretzel, pizza, or chicken
strips to munch on!
Are thrills more your thing? Check out Six Flags
St. Louis! The brand-new free-fall ride ÒSUPERMAN Tower of PowerÓ and the new
Bugs Bunny National Park opened in May 2006. Six Flags has a ride for all
levels of thrill seekers and lots for families to do together. There is also
Hurricane Harbor, a water park next door to Six Flags, to cool you off! It is
open only during the late spring to late summer months, and admission is free
to Six Flags guests.
If you are like me and like to do something
Òdifferent,Ó you can check out the many riverboat casinos in the area. For
other ÒinterestingÓ attractions, you can visit the Museum of
Transportation, The
American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog
or the International
Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.
There are many kid-friendly attractions in the St.
Louis area - Magic
House (the St.
Louis ChildrenÕs Museum), the Saint
Louis Zoo, Purina
Farms, City Museum, the Butterfly
House and the Missouri
Botanical Garden are just a
few worth checking out!
If you are in the mood for shopping, there are many
shopping malls in the area and just about every store you could want to find!
My favorite place to shop in the St. Louis area is the St. Louis Mills Mall in
Hazelwood. For scrapbookers, there is an ArchiverÕs store at the Mills, and
just recently a Disney's Character Warehouse Outlet Store opened there as well!
I also enjoy shopping at St. Louis
Union Station. Union
Station was once the largest and busiest passenger rail terminal in the world.
It opened in 1894, and although the train tracks nearby are still active, the
Station closed as a rail terminal in 1978. In 1985, it reopened and was (and
still is) considered to be the Òlargest adaptive re-use project in the United
States.Ó Today, Union Station contains restaurants, a night club, a Hyatt
Regency hotel and the Hard Rock CafŽ. There are also a multitude of specialty
stores featuring everything from All Tied Up which sells nothing but neckwear,
to Beatles for Sale, a memorabilia shop.
You can get around the St. Louis area by car, bus,
taxi or MetroLink (the local train system), but wherever you go in the
metropolitan area, you are sure to find something fun and interesting. You can
find more information on the St. Louis area at http://www.explorestlouis.com/
About the Author: Sarah Mudd is the Guide for
the Disneyland: Getting There (and
Back!) forum on the PassPorter Message Boards. She is a stay-at-home mom, Navy
wife, and displaced San Diego native who is married to a displaced St. Louis
native! Her family is currently preparing for a move to the Norfolk,
Virginia area.
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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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*Savings based on double occupancy. Ships'
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CST2058090-40 http://www.MouseEarVacations.com 800-886-8601
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DISNEY FEATURE: A BirdsÕ Eye View: Parasailing at
Walt Disney World
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by Dianne Cook, PassPorter Message Board Guide
and Guest Contributor
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to fly
like a bird? Have you wondered what Walt Disney World looks like from above?
Are you adventurous by nature? Well, if you answered yes to at least two out of
those three questions, consider parasailing on your next trip to Walt Disney
World!
Parasailing is offered at Sammy DuvallÕs
Watersports Centre at DisneyÕs Contemporary Resort, the only parasailing
location in Central Florida. You just walk out the back door of the
Contemporary Tower, as if you were going to catch a boat to the Wilderness
Lodge or Fort Wilderness Campground. On your way to the pier you'll pass
between two buildings. Sammy DuvallÕs is located in the rear of the building on
the right.
Just to give you some background information, I am
TERRIFIED of heights! I was talked into parasailing by my sons. My oldest son
was going with his friend, and our youngest doesnÕt weigh enough to ride alone,
so I was elected. (You may ride either alone or tandem. The requirement is that
the total weight must be at least 125 pounds and no more than 330 pounds.)
The first thing I did was check out the safety of
the equipment. I was assured that Sammy DuvallÕs uses the latest in parasailing
technology and that their boat exceeds U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) safety
regulations. The equipment is checked daily and the captains of the boat are
USCG Certified.
Any scheduled flights are cancelled if a storm is
approaching or in the event of severe winds. We know this for a fact, as it
happened to us. They called us about 45 minutes before our scheduled flight and
cancelled. Reservations are held with a credit card (which will be charged if
you do not cancel 24 hours prior to your reservation) but you will not be
charged if your flight is cancelled due to weather. We were given the option of
rebooking and we did, for 3:00 pm the following day.
They say that you will not get wet and that you may
wear regular clothes. We chose to wear bathing suits and cover-ups, just in
case. You take off and land on the boat itself. We got on the boat, sat down,
were given safety instructions, and we were told to remove our shoes/sandals.
Then we headed out into Bay Lake.
Matt and I went first. I was nervous, but the
captains put me at ease. They put harness-type straps around your bottom and
you sit down into it, the strap goes over the tops of your thighs and between
your legs. You hang onto two straps, similar to sitting on a swing.
We went onto the back deck of the boat. I was in
the back and Matt was in front with the huge parachute behind us. The boat
began to speed up and we were pulled backwards and upwards. I was totally
amazed at how smooth it was! It was also very gradual. I was totally shocked
that once we were in the air, I wasnÕt nervous at all, even with my fear of
heights. You go 450 feet in the air -100 feet higher that the top of the
Contemporary Tower. What an incredible view! We brought waterproof cameras and
were taking pictures non-stop.
You can see every park from up there. You can even
see downtown Orlando (and of course Downtown Disney). You really get a feel for
how vast Walt Disney World really is.
Probably most amazing to me was how relaxed I felt.
The fear factor was totally gone, you just feel like you are floating. Our time
in the air was 10 minutes, but it seemed like seconds. Before we knew it, we
were being gradually reeled in toward the boat deck. One of the captains was
there to grab onto the harness and the parachute. We landed right on top of the
deck standing up.
There are two kinds of flights - the regular flight
is 450 feet in the air and lasts 8-10 minutes. The cost is $95 plus tax for a
single rider and $160 plus tax per tandem (two people riding together). The
deluxe flight takes you up to 600 feet for 10-12 minutes. The cost is $120 plus
tax for single riders and $185 plus tax per tandem. (Discounts are available
for DVC members and Annual Pass
holders.) Flights are scheduled seven days a week, weather permitting. During
the summer, flights depart every 30 minutes from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. During the
colder seasons flights are every 30 minutes between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm.
You may Òwalk-upÓ to try to make a reservation but
I would recommend making them in advance. Reservations can be made 90 days in
advance by contacting Sammy DuvallÕs directly at 407-939-0754 (phone) or
407-939-0756 (fax). You can also submit a request by e-mailing Disney@sammyduvall.com . Children
under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign a
release form and those under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
You also must be at least 5 years of age (a new requirement).
I would definitely recommend this for everyone! Did
this cure me of my fear of heights? Nope! But I would do it again in a heartbeat.
About The Author: Dianne Cook is a PassPorter
Message Board Guide and is an RN specializing in Diabetes Education. She lives
in the New England with her husband and two sons.
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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 relevant news items:
Despite Planetary Downgrade, Pluto Is Still
Disney's 'Dog Star' In reaction
to news today that Pluto was demoted to the status of "dwarf planet,"
the Seven Dwarfs issued their own short statement: "Although we think it's
DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some
people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be
HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an eighth dwarf. We think this is just
what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at."
Mickey Mouse's faithful companion, Pluto made his
debut in 1930 -- the same year that scientists discovered what they believed
was a ninth planet.
Said a white-gloved, yellow-shoed source close to
Disney's top dog, "I think the whole thing is goofy. Pluto has never been
interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the
moon." (Seriously folks, that's a direct quote from DisneyÕs press release.)
The Disney Cruise Line has upgraded
its stateroom toiletries. Each stateroom will now feature H2O Plus products such as Sea
Marine Revitalizing Shampoo, Marine Collagen Conditioner and Hydrating Body
Butter from the H2O Plus premium Spa line. Concierge Guests will get Sea Salt
Body Wash and Solar Relief Gel among their toiletries. (Do Concierge guests get
sunburned more often perhaps?)
United Kingdom and Northern Ireland residents who
plan to travel to Walt Disney World between August 12 and September 29, 2007
now have the option to book a package that includes the Disney Dining Plan
for free. The package
includes a minimum five-night stay along with minimum five-day park admission
and must be booked by November 6, 2006. For more info, see http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/special/offerDetail?id=DiningOfferPage
>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:
N-FLIGHT COLORING
"Here is a great way to entertain toddlers and small
children on the plane. It also makes for great memories. The night before we
left I made my daughter a "Disney" coloring book by going to http://www.disney.com and printing
out various coloring pages from their activities section. I used a three hole
punch, some heavy card stock paper for a front and back cover, and some ribbon
to tie everything together. I wrapped this up like a present (which ate up a
few minutes of precious plane time while she tore open the package) along with
some crayons. We spent a good deal of the plane ride coloring and talking all
about the characters and our vacation to come."-- contributed by Justine
L. (goodcentsnyc@...)
DISNEY DINING AT HOME
"My wife and I noticed that the
children's meals are served in sturdy plastic dishes in the shape of Mickey's
head. We kept the dishes as clean as we could while our 2 and 4 year old
enjoyed their lunches, and then we cleaned the dishes, and brought them home
with us. Now, any time the boys want to relive some Disney Magic we get out
their Mickey dishes and presto, they feel like they are back at Walt Disney
World." -- contributed by Doug Gerwick (dbgerwick@...)
T-SHIRT TIP
"We purchased small backpacks, Disney t-shirts,
plastic pencil boxes and an assorted pack of Sharpie markers for our children
prior to our Walt Disney World trip. Each child's backpack has a t-shirt inside
of a pencil box with some Sharpie markers. They each will be ready to get
Character autographs on their t-shirts. The plastic pencil boxes provide
something hard for the characters to sign on and keep the shirts dry if it
rains or we get soaked on the water rides. They can't wait to wear their
autographed t-shirts home and show them off." -- contributed by Jenifer
Rettler (jeniferrettler@...)
>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? For Walt
Disney World fans, we've collected 500 of the best tips submitted by readers
over the past six years. All have been edited for accuracy and categorized. For
details, visit the PassPorter Disney 500 info page at
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/disney500.asp
>>For Disney Cruise Line fans, we
have an e-book with 250 cruiser tips, as well as a special cruise line
comparison section and seven customized packing lists. For information, visit
the Disney Cruise Clues info page at
http://www.passporter.com/dcl/cruiseclues.asp
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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 new 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:
"Today I stumbled upon the most
fretfully depressing find. In a museum I visited on a recent adventure, I
discovered that the term 'scat' (which so closely resembles my family name of
'Skatt') is a name for animal droppings! Be still my pounding heart! The museum
even displays two samples of 'scat' -- one from a bear, and one from a tiger.
How dreadful. Now I know why people giggle uncontrollably when I introduce
myself. Will my ego ever survive the humiliation?"
Where is the museum that has scat on display?
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!
Congratulations to Paula Dale who was the winner
of last week's treasure hunt game! Paula correctly identified the location of
Wathel Bender's tombstone in the graveyard of the Haunted Mansion. To view the
original clues, see http://www.passporter.com/news/news082406.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. ÒPassPorter's Treasure Hunts at Walt Disney World" is
now available! You can 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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coastgirl asks: "Has
anyone done the Little Einstein's character meal at Hollywood & Vine or
Mickey's Backyard BBQ? Will we still get the characters coming around to visit
like at the more traditional character meals? My kids will want to meet the
Little Einstein's and Chip and Dale in particular."
Jennifer and Dave answer: "The
Backyard BBQ has a lot to do with expectations. Entertainment includes a live
country band, organized line dancing, and some group games. Food is a simple
bbq buffet. Seating is at large picnic tables (under a pavilion roof). So yes,
it can seem chaotic for a variety of reasons - not only is everyone getting up
to get food, but also to participate in the various activities, and there are
no servers, so everyone is on their feet to get drinks as well as solid food.
Since you're seated at big picnic tables and there are no assigned seats,
things are a bit chaotic there, too. Character interaction doesn't happen at
the tables - they're out on the dance floor with the guests, dancing and
participating in various activities.
We've had a good time there, but we were sharing
that good time with other friends. So, my general advice is to bring your own
party with you, and you'll be fine. If you're not expecting dinner show, it can
be a fun event, especially if you and the kids are the type to get on your
feet. It's not much fun if you just sit at the table hoping to be entertained.
It costs about $11 less than the other dinner
shows, which makes it even a worse deal on the dining plan - pay cash, and use
your credits elsewhere."
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?
===================================
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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