"ENCHANTED TALES with ROB" - A Birthday/Christmas DISer Celebration! **NEW TR LINK**

[TheMaxRebo]

Wow, they really go all out with the Holiday Theming at Sea World!

The shows all look very nice but I have to say the "fur" characters at Sea World seem just so, pathetic?, compared to at Disney. I mean, Mickey and Minnie vs. two chef orcas or whatever those were supposed to be? No contest!

 

[MEK]

That final show looks amazing. I am sure it is even more spectacular in person. Just gorgeous!

I'm so glad you had such a fun time at Seaworld. It really looks like a great experience, especially around the holidays and with that pass you bought. I am thinking of a Christmas 2015 trip to WDW and I think you have convinced me to put Seaworld on the list!

 

[Sereina]

I ran out of TR's to read on the DLR board, so I decided to come check out some WDW TR's and found your awesome report. I just finished your April one and now just got up to date with this one. I'm having so much fun reading about your trips!

Meeting talking Mickey sounds like it was so awesome! And how fun that you got to meet so many awesome people from DISboards. So cool!

Although I've always wanted to go to WDW someday (I've been perfectly content with DLR in the past!), now I think a trip to WDW with have higher priority come vacation time. I wanna see Wishes now! lol! Now I need to add "Spend my birthday in a Disney Park" to my never ending Disney Bucket List.

Looking forward to your next update!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

The Sea of Trees sounds nice, going to the music and all, and looks lovely in the pictures!
Two more great shows with VIP seating sounds like a wonderful way to finish your Seaworld day! They do look like great shows, I'd love to see the skating one.
Well, a great detour to Seaworld for a day, but now I can't wait to read about your favourite disney day ever!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

It really is quite lovely Wendy. Certainly not Osborne Lights spectacular, but really lovely. Of course, it's hard to capture the "dancing" in photos, lol.
What I really liked about it (apart from the awesome up front seating) was it was completely unique. No one else has figure skating. It hearkened back to when I was a kid and they had water skiing shows in the lagoon.
It was a nice day, and I'm glad I was able to share something different, but I've been itching to get back to the Disney story. Events of this next day completely made my trip.

Even though I've enjoyed reading along with your Sea World day I'm looking forward to heading back to Disney in your next entry.

Thank you Brenda. It was nice to be able to document a little SeaWorld, but if I'm being honest, I find it hard to really write anything about it, so it mostly focused on photos. But now it's back to Disney which will have LOADS to write about.

I'm really glad you enjoyed your day!!!

Thank you SO MUCH!! I really did have a great day in SeaWorld.

Just wanted to let you know I am still following along. Great update

YAY. It is so nice to hear that. Thank you for sticking with me.

WOW those trees reflected in the water look gorgeous!!

That is so trippy to see ice skating outdoors in Florida! So cool. Those are some great costumes too.

The firework pictures are beautiful! That's so funny that they used the music from Merry Christwishes too.

They were beautiful Courtney. The last time I was in SeaWorld was October 2012, and they had just installed the trees, but obviously weren't using them yet. I was so excited to see them in action.

OMG I know!!!! Ice skating is one thing (I've actually done it in Florida), but outdoors was really neat to see. They were quite good too. I really enjoyed it.

These were good too. But yeah, it was so strange to hear some of the same exact music. It did make me excited for another Christmas Party though.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OK, DUH!!! Took me until your very last Sea World post to realize your chapter title rhymes!

Maybe because Christmas and Mistress are a very odd rhyming pair.

Your pictures of the Sea of Trees are GORGEOUS!!! I can only imagine how incredible it is in person and with a Christmas soundtrack.

Spectacular skating show!

Well, I am guessing you just sold a whole bunch of Disney fanatics on the joys of spending a day of a Christmas trip at Sea World. You should tell the powers that be over at SW that you want a cut of the huge spike in sales of tickets next season.

Seriously!

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Well I'm glad you did Dee so I didn't waste all that effort with my amazing rhyming scheme.

Haha, they are. Not generally two words you see together (or at least one would hope not).

Awww Thanks Dee. I wish I could capture the "dancing", but still photos do have their limits. It was incredible to see live though. Just a great setting.

It was really cool. I'm not a big figure skating person, but I very much enjoyed this. Certainly the novelty of seeing skating outdoors in Florida added to the whole experience, but the skaters were really good.

You know, I actually do think they might see a mild spike as word gets out. They do a fantastic job on this, so I hope people do check it out. And of course, a cut of the proceeds wouldn't hurt, lol.

The Christmas decorations look amazing! I feel like Floridians must have great holiday spirit with all of the different holiday offerings they can go to

What girl doesn't love a group of saxophone players?!

Sounds like you had a great day at Sea World! From all of your pictures I can't wait to check it out in August!

OMG it was beautiful Caitlin. That's a good point too. My God the volume of Christmas activities available is mind-boggling. Not to mention Halloween!!!!!

It was insane. Seriously, who could possibly resist those outfits???? They were just mobbed!

It was a great day, and just nice to do something a little different. I can't wait until you go because I can't wait to hear your thoughts. I really think you're gonna love it. Maybe not Disney level love, but still love.

What a truely wonderful day at Sea World. The shows look great, and the VIP ticket sounds awesome. Now get back to the Magic where you truely belong!!!

It was a lovely day for sure, and I am glad I went. But I was ready to get back home and have an amazingly Magical day.

"Chick magnet quartet!" This is why I visit your threads.

Christmas at SeaWorld looks pretty amazing. Glad you enjoyed your day!

Awww gee, thanks Annie. SeaWorld was tough to write about, so I have to get in some humour where I can, lol.

They really do a lovely job and I was really impressed. It was a nice change, but now I'm ready to get back to Disney with a vengeance.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Awesome pictures Rob of all the Sea World Christmas Shows and Decorations!

It looks like you had an awesome day over there! But I would agree it must have been tiring, you did so much that day!

I think you've sold me on checking out Sea World the next time I make it back for Christmas!

Thanks Jess. There was so much to photograph too. Really impressive.

It was great. SeaWorld is deceptively big, so I was pretty tired as I went pretty hard for the most part. Of course I sat a lot too, lol.

Excellent. I think it's well worth a vist, I really do.

The Sea of Trees is beautiful!

Is that a S'mores stand I see? ::drools:: I have quite an addiction to anything S'mores!

Winter Wonderland looks like a great show. I agree, it must've been amazing to see outdoor skating in Florida!

And you can't go wrong with ending your night with fireworks.

I'm glad you had a great day at SeaWorld!

It really is Alexis. It was nice to finally see them lit.

Yupper. They had quite the setup of snack shacks I must say.

It just felt kinda weird to see, as you sit there in a T-Shirt and Shorts watching it. Very cool though.

Totally. Fireworks at SeaWorld is pretty rare, so to see them was extra fun.

It was great I must say. BUT, it was NOTHING compared to the day that's about to happen.

Sea World really has a great variety of holiday activities!!

Can't wait to hear about your next, BEST, day!!

It definitely exceeded my expectations Julie. They really do Christmas well.

I'm looking forward to getting back to Disney and finally on to this day.

Yay I'm glad you enjoy old comments (Cause mine are always late ! )

Ah the Illuminations cruise sounds amazing and magical. And it's really cool that you're parked right there and can see the people waiting for it! Thanks for the review and pictures cause I was trying to decide if it was worth it and now I know it is! I'm torn between doing a Wishes cruise or an Illuminations cruise though.

AH SEAWORLD! We haven't been since our first trip and I miss it! And Chris and I both agreed that Manta was the craziest ride we went on and were so surprised that it was in SeaWorld! Atlantis was closed when we were there though

Oooohhh the penguins are so cute! Omg good thing you got to Antartica when you did!

Thanks for all the information and pictures of Seaworld! We're planning on going back in January and your pictures made me even more excited! All the Christmas stuff is really awesome, I never realized Seaworld did so much for Christmas and the nighttime shots are breath-taking!

Hehe, yes I do, and yes you are.

Oh my Courtney, it was so wonderful. Everything about it. I don't think I will ever be able to repay them for that experience. It is so very worth it. You do raise a tough question though. While Wishes is just my everything in Disney, I think you are kind of away from it in Seven Seas Lagoon... While the Illuminations Cruise really puts you in the heart of it all. Not an easy call there. You'll just have to do both I guess.

I so enjoy a day or two there, mostly because of Manta and Blue Horizons. I could be happy just doing those all day, lol. Atlantis is pretty neat, but it's pretty missable too. Nothing extraordinary. Splash blows it away basically.

You are not kidding. And the time just went up from there. I imagine it'll all die down eventually, but it still sucks that you can't just go in and see the penguins. My God they're fun to watch.

Believe me, it's my pleasure. I'm glad I got to do something a little different (not many on here venture away from Disney), and the Christmas stuff really impressed me. I would even venture to say that they had more decorations overall than Disney. Well, maybe Disney has more, but in less places. SeaWorld seemed to decorate the whole park. I'm trying to remember if you've seen Turtle Trek, so that might also be new too. I saw it in 2012, but skipped it this time, but it is AMAZING!!!!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh wow, you had me at "somewhat like the Osbourne Lights." Now I really want to check out Seaworld during the holidays. I can only imagine how nice it must have been to walk around that park at night with Christmas music playing and seeing those lit up trees all over the water.

Not to mention, an ice skating show is a nice change from the traditional nighttime shows. I bet it was cool to see that once.

But I definetly think you've convinced me to get the reserved seating if I ever do get down there to do it. Sounds like you saved yourself a lot of time and crowd jostling by paying that little extra.

Well, I certainly don't want to give any false impressions as the trees aren't quite the scope of the Osborne Lights, BUT the concept is definitely the same. And they are absolutely beautiful, whether stationary or "dancing". But YES, the atmosphere at night is something to behold, and I do recommend at least one visit at some point.

I think that's why I liked it so much... it was completely different, but did fit a traditional Christmas theme.

The VIP is GOLD!!!! I'm so glad I discovered it on the website, because you had to really search to find it. It was totally worth the $29 for that peace of mind. However, I think it's probably only necessary on nights it closes at 9. On night's with an 11pm close, I think there are enough showtimes to cover everything. Still, that insurance would still be nice.

And of course I meant Show and not shoe lol

Haha, trust me, I write out stuff like that ALL the time!

The trees really do look beautiful.

They are really pretty. And there is a TON of them.

Sea World looks so stunning with all the decorations. I've said it before and I just repeated it because it's that true

What is it with Canadians and skating though. You guys are all, ooh look I appreciate ice skating and hockey playing. Just kidding It looks really spectacular. The backdrop certainly adds a lot to it.

And it does seem like the VIP pass was good money spent when I consider how quickly (it looks at least) you went from place to place without having to wait long for the shows to start. Which is the real advantage cause otherwise I'd just be cheap and wait in line

It does bear repeating because they really were stunning. The park just looked gorgeous at night.

Haha, anything to do with with ice, we're all in, lol. It was quite cool (no pun intended... ok maybe a little) to watch some skating, but outdoors in Florida? Not a common thing. And yes, I LOVED the backdrop and decorating they did and the fountains... beautiful.

It was essential in my opinion. By the time I got from one show to another, they were pretty filled up. It was nice knowing I could saunter in 10-15 minutes before start time and have a perfect seat. It was absolutely worth the $29.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Ooooh, the 'chick magnet quartet'. I see me a bunch of sexyphone players! And their outfits are just so.....hipster?

Too bad you had to end your day and leave the 'mistress', but at least you got to go back to Stacy!

Linda

Haha, clearly you are one I would have had to form a human shield for these poor guys, Linda. They are indeed some lovely outfits though.

Aww thanks, BUT, getting back to Stacey AND getting back to Disney to prepare for what was unbeknownst to me at the time, the best day EVER was worth giving up the Mistress for.

Wow, they really go all out with the Holiday Theming at Sea World!

The shows all look very nice but I have to say the "fur" characters at Sea World seem just so, pathetic?, compared to at Disney. I mean, Mickey and Minnie vs. two chef orcas or whatever those were supposed to be? No contest!

They really do Phil. They completely surprised me I must admit.

Wonderful shows to be sure, but yeah... the fur characters. Clearly a win for SeaWorld.

That final show looks amazing. I am sure it is even more spectacular in person. Just gorgeous!

I'm so glad you had such a fun time at Seaworld. It really looks like a great experience, especially around the holidays and with that pass you bought. I am thinking of a Christmas 2015 trip to WDW and I think you have convinced me to put Seaworld on the list!

Mary Ellen, I was so impressed with it and enjoyed it immensely. Outdoor figure skating is certainly unique, and the fireworks being such a rarity at SeaWorld really closed the night on a high note.

I had a blast. They really do a great job with Christmas, and I'm so glad I decided to go, AND get that pass. Ahhh YAY!!! I think you'll really enjoy a day trip over there.

I ran out of TR's to read on the DLR board, so I decided to come check out some WDW TR's and found your awesome report. I just finished your April one and now just got up to date with this one. I'm having so much fun reading about your trips!

Meeting talking Mickey sounds like it was so awesome! And how fun that you got to meet so many awesome people from DISboards. So cool!

Although I've always wanted to go to WDW someday (I've been perfectly content with DLR in the past!), now I think a trip to WDW with have higher priority come vacation time. I wanna see Wishes now! lol! Now I need to add "Spend my birthday in a Disney Park" to my never ending Disney Bucket List.

Looking forward to your next update!

Oh my goodness Sereina, THANK YOU so very much!!! I'm so happy to WELCOME you here AND to the WDW side. Seriously, I'm honoured you decided to read and follow along. Thank you for your kind words.

It was unreal. I've been waiting for a lifetime for that and it was everything I'd hoped. The DISmeets were the highlight without a doubt. And I'm not done yet... They're what makes the next day so memorable.

I've been to DLR once, so at least I can compare a bit. I loved Disneyland. Love love love. Truthfully they are so much alike and yet so very different. Definitely plan a trip to WDW. And Wishes. Oh my lovely Wishes. My everything. It will never disappoint, I promise. And oh my GOD, being in Disney on your actual birthday... PRICELESS.

Best day ever starting soon!!!

 

[khaleesi]

I'd be a bit miffed too about them opening up the seating like that. Poor planning annoys me.

I love the idea of the Nativity story being told from the animals POV. That is right up my alley!! All of those shows look wonderful and I am so impressed with their decorating. But I won't lie... I'm anxious for you to get back to Disney! Haha.

 

[joleen76]

Finally all caught up. Whew what wonderful updates.

That cruise was definitely a bucket list item. How great you could experience it with friends who understand your passion.

I would totally have snagged the snacks too! I mean they were paid for, shouldn't let them go to waste. It's like leaving snack credits on your dinning plan!

Your trip to Sea World was amazing. We have one about 2 hours from us and are planning a weekend to check it out this summer. That shark exhibit seems like it would be so cool to walk through. Having them swim above you would be surreal and a little Jaws like.

That VIP pass seems like it was well worth the cost. What a great day.

Can't wait to hear about your best Disney day ever. That is quite a introduction!

 

[TinksThree]

Wow...the Illuminations cruise looked amazing and how awesome to get to share that time with other Dissers!! We loved Seaworld in San Antonio and keepsaying we want to go to the one in Orlando. Madison loves dolphins so she flipped (no pun intended!) over the dolphin pics!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I'd be a bit miffed too about them opening up the seating like that. Poor planning annoys me.

I love the idea of the Nativity story being told from the animals POV. That is right up my alley!! All of those shows look wonderful and I am so impressed with their decorating. But I won't lie... I'm anxious for you to get back to Disney! Haha.

Oh I was. If I was a cartoon, I'd have those little lines (not the stink ones, the anger ones) coming up off me.

BUT, as you noted, the show was so good, it was hard to stay mad. I was super impressed too Sue. They did a fab job.
Hehe, so am I!!! I've been so looking forward to posting this upcoming day.

Finally all caught up. Whew what wonderful updates.

That cruise was definitely a bucket list item. How great you could experience it with friends who understand your passion.

I would totally have snagged the snacks too! I mean they were paid for, shouldn't let them go to waste. It's like leaving snack credits on your dinning plan!

Your trip to Sea World was amazing. We have one about 2 hours from us and are planning a weekend to check it out this summer. That shark exhibit seems like it would be so cool to walk through. Having them swim above you would be surreal and a little Jaws like.

That VIP pass seems like it was well worth the cost. What a great day.

Can't wait to hear about your best Disney day ever. That is quite a introduction!

Thanks Joleen, I sure do appreciate that.

It absolutely should be. It was off the charts wonderful. The cruise itself obviously, but way more due to the amazing company.

Exactly!!! They were begging to be taken. And since no one else seemed interested... cue me.

I enjoy SeaWorld. It does get overlooked in the Orlando shuffle to be sure. The only thing I would miss in San Antonio is MANTA!! The sharks are WAY cool.

Very much so. I can't imagine my night without it, and I'm so very glad I bought it.

Haha, yes it's a lot to live up to making a statement like that. But for me, it was exactly that.

Wow...the Illuminations cruise looked amazing and how awesome to get to share that time with other Dissers!! We loved Seaworld in San Antonio and keepsaying we want to go to the one in Orlando. Madison loves dolphins so she flipped (no pun intended!) over the dolphin pics!!

It was awesome, and you're exactly right. Sharing it with fellow DISers was the ultimate!!!
Oh you need to go to see the Dolphins in SeaWorld. I didn't even scratch the surface for photos. I didn't take any at the lagoon where you can actually feed them!!!! Which I have done, and is an absolute highlight for me, so Madison will LOVE THAT. I still need to swim with them some day, though I may die of excitement. I think you should take a trip over whenever you get around to that Mother/Daughter trip!

 

[librarygeek]

Looks like a lovely end to your evening at Sea World! The ice show really looks like a lot of fun. I really like watching ice skating - I've been to a couple of Disney on Ice shows. Even though they're really meant for kids, I still enjoy it! And those fireworks look really fun too.

 

[librarygeek]

It is a smoking deal Becky. I'm pretty sure the combo tickets are unlimited for 2 weeks also. I've heard Cabana Bay is great, but obviously haven't seen it yet in person. The down side is I've heard you don't get the Front of the Line privilege like you do at the other Uni hotels. I love BG Tampa. Not so much a fan of the drive though (not that it's that far, but still).

Hmm, I didn't realize that Cabana Bay won't have that front of the line pass. Boo! Still, DH's favorite time to go to Orlando is in September because the crowds are so low, so hopefully that won't be a problem anyway!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Looks like a lovely end to your evening at Sea World! The ice show really looks like a lot of fun. I really like watching ice skating - I've been to a couple of Disney on Ice shows. Even though they're really meant for kids, I still enjoy it! And those fireworks look really fun too.

Lovely is he exact right word Becky. I'm not a huge skating fan, but I used to LOVE the Ice Capades back in the day and would absolutely go see Disney on Ice if given the chance. The fireworks were great, especially with the fountains.

Hmm, I didn't realize that Cabana Bay won't have that front of the line pass. Boo! Still, DH's favorite time to go to Orlando is in September because the crowds are so low, so hopefully that won't be a problem anyway!

Maybe double check just to be sure. This is just something I'd heard. Are you looking at a September trip? I'm hoping for one as well, but just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Though if recent history holds, we'll just miss each other anyway, lol.

 

[mom2munchkins]

I am loving your trip report. You crack me up

 

[Nermel9]

Wow Sea World at Christmas is really impressive now! I had no idea there were so many things to do there! The nighttime shows look really cool, I love that there is ice skating! Someday when I'm ready for a break from Disney, maybe I'll head back to Sea World...not anytime soon, of course!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I am loving your trip report. You crack me up

Why THANK YOU SO MUCH and WELCOME!!!! I sincerely appreciate you being here and saying hello!!

Wow Sea World at Christmas is really impressive now! I had no idea there were so many things to do there! The nighttime shows look really cool, I love that there is ice skating! Someday when I'm ready for a break from Disney, maybe I'll head back to Sea World...not anytime soon, of course!

REALLY impressive Jen. I'm so glad I took the plunge. I know, it's so hard for folks to leave the bubble. The good news is, it's always right there waiting.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

“JUST BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE IT, DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T BELIEVE IT”
Day 7 – December 9, 2013 Part 1



This was going to be a long day.

I posted on Facebook:
"Epcot... MGM... And Magic Kingdom extra magic hours until 1am. Gonna be a long, awesome day."

Despite that fact, I was still up, out, and at the entrance of Epcot by 8:30... And via Disney transportation I might add.

All my FP+ for the day were at DHS, so I had none here at Epcot, but I still did what everyone else does when entering.

Thank You ANNUAL PASS!!!

Lets face it, I was just simply saying goodbye to a old trusted friend... RIP FP-.

I hadn’t eaten yet, so a little sustenance was in order, and of course, since Sunshine Seasons was RIGHT THERE,

Yeah, I went right for dessert because... IT'S SUNSHINE SEASONS' STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE!!!!
No more need be said.

Having finished the dessert of awesomeness, I ventured outside where I noted Fountain View was indeed serving Starbucks, so I took some photo evidence.

Like most people on the DIS, I stopped at the Fountain of Nations as it is something that absolutely requires a visit.

The fountain was feeling a bit frisky this morning though, and as the water rose to it’s beautiful heights...
... The wind caught it and it came barreling up over me.

So yeah, forget about the insanely wet ride Maelstrom; THIS is the wettest area in Walt Disney World.

I was pretty… soaked, but at least I provided plenty of amusement to nearby CM’s as they queried, “Did ya get a little wet there?”

Yes, yes I did, thank you.

I scurried away into MouseGears, mostly to scope out the merch for future purchases.
I like to look through everything first and then make mental notes for later.

I try to avoid impulse buying because...
A. I'm poor and
B. As soon as I buy something, I find something I like better immediately after.
Also... I'm poor.

I did, however, make sure to get a photo of this shirt, dangerously close to copyright infringement, or at least intellectual property infringement.
(Although technically I may be guilty of that as well so nevermind).

For anyone wondering,
No I did not buy this shirt (but I did have a photo tweeted to me by Meg (leopardmickeyears on the DIS) in January, which was extremely thoughtful.

My homemade “I Survived” shirt is meant as a take off of the “I Survived” shirts sold for Roller Coasters.
The wording on this shirt is just… wrong.
Conquering implies taking something over, and a shirt declaring “conquering” a ride made up of children just seems a bad choice.

... Even if said children are absolutely terrifying.

I headed back to towards the Land when the Monorail passed, and you cannot NOT take a photo of the monorail upon threat of banishment so…

Plus it matched my Magic Band!!!!

On my way back to the stairs inside, I passed "literally" the loneliest CM in all of Walt Disney World.

Don't believe me? Well, though cutting edge technology that's banned in 137 countries, let’s zoom in and see if we can make anything out.

Awwwwww, he's singing. I'm sure somebody will come along... Some Day.

There were some really cool displays set up, so I took a few minutes to explore them.

Finally it was time to Soar.

So I got my safety instructions from my boy Patrick,

And soared.



CONTINUED NEXT POST
​

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Day 7 – December 9, 2013 Part 1 Continued


Not surprisingly for me, I had done all I wanted in Future World, so I made my way over to World Showcase.

The bulk of the showcase wasn’t open yet, but I wanted to check out the new Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet in Norway.

For those wondering if Maelstrom is indeed the wettest ride in Walt Disney World, here’s the proof.

The Meet and Greet would be starting at 11am, but the line had already built for the SECOND set at 12pm.
So basically, I would be waiting at least 2 hours.

For some reason I got in the line anyway as I had nowhere specific to be just yet, and I really did want this photo.

However, with the sun beating down and the Showcase opening for the day, I finally decided that waiting 2+ hours may not be the best use of my time.

PLUS, I can always just do this…

Or just go all in and get something completely unique.

So, I left and went sailing instead since a 10 minute wait is much more my speed.

The Frozen merchandise was out.

AND, much to my surprise, the exit of the Meet and Greet was not blocked off.

Of course, I couldn’t leave Norway without one other thing, so I grabbed a breakfast supplement to go.

I knew Brenda and the DIS ladies (hey, that should be a band) were doing a little "pub crawling” today,
So I texted her to inquire the status as I wanted to join them when it was France Slushie time.

She replied that they were scheduled for Tutto Gusto for around 12:15, were just finishing up at Les Halles, and “Slushies Next… Come over!!”



TO BE CONTINUED…
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