Review: Breakfast Buffet at Trail’s End Restaurant

Adam’s birthday happened last week. We were so busy with our work schedules that we kind of had to split up the celebration. Our first official “celebration” was visiting a new-to-us restaurant for breakfast. 

Trail’s End Restaurant is located at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Fort Wilderness has cabins, campgrounds and RV pads. If you didn’t grow up camping and “roughing it,” this is a great resort to help you get a taste of that life. If you’re not staying at this particular resort, it can be a little tricky to find this restaurant. You’ll park at the resort parking lot and then board a bus heading to Pioneer Hall. Pioneer Hall is home to Trail’s End as well as the Hoop-dee-doo Musical Revue. 
The Breakfast Buffet for Trail’s End is pretty traditional and straight-forward. More importantly, it’s really affordable! At only $22 per adult, it’s definitely budget-friendly, especially by Disney standards.
 I’m a really low-maintenance breakfast eater. I love me a Mickey Waffle and the warm pecan sticky buns were AMAZING!!! Also…Bacon!
 For those who prefer pastries, they’ve got you covered with a pretty good spread, including house-made corn muffins and tasty danishes and croissants.

 There’s a great build-your-own yogurt parfait station!
 Fruit? Cheese? Smoked Salmon? Yes indeed.
 If you go for nothing else, go for the Warm Pecan Sticky Buns. Try to get one from the middle. If you’re like me and don’t like pecans, don’t worry, they’re on the bottom and easy to pick off.
Overall, there wasn’t anything life-changing about this buffet. But the resort is serene and a nice escape from the insanity of the parks. And you really can’t beat the price! Their dinner is a buffet too and we’ll definitely be checking that out at some point! And we already have reservations for the Hoop-dee-doo when my parents come out to visit next month!

Saving For Your Disney Trip

There’s no denying that any Disney Vacation is expensive. Saving for a Disney Trip is one of the first steps in the planning process. It can take some time to save up for your trip. This post is going to talk about how to save for your Disney trip. I have a lot of thoughts about this so let’s just jump right in!

#1- Start Early

There are a few things you should know about me. First, I am a planner. I really like planning ahead. It’s not often that I just kind of “fly by the seat of my pants”, as it were. Second, I have the travel bug. In my family, we’ve decided it’s a genetic thing. My Grandpa can get home from one trip and immediately start wondering when the next trip will be and lamenting the fact that he “never goes anywhere.” I definitely inherited that. And because of that, we have a special “Travel” savings account that we just continually add to for our next trip, whatever and whenever it might be. Basically, we always know there will be a “next trip”. 

If you’re a Disney trip novice, I recommend starting to plan around a year ahead. This will give you a good amount of time to save up and to keep your eye out for deals, discounts, and promotions. Depending on the time of year, you can get discounts on Disney hotel rooms, packages and even FREE DINING PLANS. A year will give you time to figure out approximately how much you might need to save up for your trip. And to make appropriate reservations (but that’s another post for another time). 

#2- Create a Savings Plan

Once you’ve done your early estimating, figure out how much you need to save and break it down into manageable bites. I like to use spreadsheets. I know, I’m a nerd (also hereditary). Here’s an example of how I would breakdown our savings plan…


#3- Find Extra Ways to Find Extra Funds

Obviously your primary source of income will be the first place you start saving from. But sometimes our budgets are already stretched thin. The more creative you are with your money saving, the quicker you’ll be able to save! I have a few suggestions, in addition to having a designated savings account. 

#1- Ibotta app– if you haven’t tried this app, you need to! You’re already going to be buying groceries, so why not make a little extra? You get “cash back” for certain purchases (verified with a receipt you scan into the app) as as for completing certain challenges within the app. Then you can redeem your cash back via Venmo (this is my new favorite method because it’s actually cash right into my bank account) or various gift cards. You can also get bonus cash back by inviting your friends to join in the savings fun. I’ve earned almost $300 by using this app!

***Join by following this link https://ibotta.com/r/hskqwnc or download the app and put in my referral code hskqwnc. The app is available for android and iOS users. By following my referral link or using my code, you’ll get a $10 bonus when you redeem your first offer!***
#2- Shopkick app- I don’t find this one to be as lucrative as Ibotta, but it’s good for an extra $25-50. And that could cover a meal or souvenir at Disney! Shopkick is still evolving and you can use it similarly to Ibotta or you can use your phone and scan items in the store to earn “kicks”. The nice thing about Shopkick is that you can redeem your kicks for a Disney Gift Card! You’ll get an email with a digital code that you can use to pay for your trip or to pay for things on your vacation. Invite Friends and you each earn 250 kicks!
***Try Shopkick and we’ll both get points toward a free gift card! 😀 Use code GIFT503676 or download http://getsk.co/gift503676

#3- Change jar- We have a jar that we keep on our dresser and every time one of us gets change, we put it in the jar. We also stick our gift cards in the jar and occasionally we add in cash we get for gifts or we just take out a little extra in cash and put it in the jar. And then when we get close to the vacation, we take out the coins and see what we have. It definitely adds up.

#4- Garage/Yard Sale- Everyone has extra stuff laying around that we don’t really use or need to keep. Sell it! With social media, you can even just post your items online to see if your friends or friends-friends have been looking for those things for their lives. You’ll clean out your house and add to your fund!

#5- Don’t Treat Yo Self- This might be one of the only times I say this (haha). But your Disney trip will be the ultimate Treat Yo Self, so you can do without for a few months as you save. Take the money from your Treat Yo Self days and put them in your Travel account.

Why We Decided to Blog

We’ve been doing this blogging thing for a few months now. And many of you might be wondering why we started this blog and the YouTube channel. I figured it was time that we talked a little bit more about our adventure and why we’re sharing it on this blog.

As I’m sure you’ve deduced, we’ve always loved Disney and we’ve spent a lot of time planning and going on Disney adventures.  Now that we’re living here, we thought it might give us an opportunity to share some of that knowledge and experience. And with our close proximity, we could keep updating information and make things fun too! We know there are a lot of travel bloggers and vloggers out there and plenty of them specialize in Disney. But we have our own unique perspective on things and thought others might benefit from that.

We also wanted a way to chronicle our own adventures. In a way, this blog and videos are a kind of journal for us. We can keep track of our own adventures and what we learn from our experiences out here.

There are a lot of people out there making money from blogging and vlogging. And while we don’t expect to make our millions and quit our day jobs, it would be nice if we could make a little money from our blog and help us pay our bills and student loans. I’ve done a little research and we became Amazon Affiliates so we could post links of products we like and recommend and possible make a little side income from the blog. We’ve only just begun, so things are still struggling to get up, but hopefully our hard work will pay off (literally…we’d like to pay off our student loans)!

Anyway, so as you read through our blog and notice Amazon ads or our affiliate links, that’s why. We’re out here working out tails off during our Disney College Program, but we’re also working hard to make our Blog and YouTube Channel successful. We’d love your help with that! Please share our blog and YouTube Channel with your friends who might be interested!

And we would love your feedback on our content! Are there things you’d like to hear about? Please leave comments! We’re just kind of playing it by ear right now and hoping we can guess what our audience wants. But it would be better if you told us! Do you want to hear more about us as a couple and our journey here? Or would you like more Disney dining details? Attractions recommendations? Planning tips? Weather reports? Movie reviews? We want to give you what you want to read!

Leave some suggestions in the comments! We want to get to know our readers!

Insider Tips for Conquering Hollywood Studios Park

Hollywood Studios has kind of been overlooked for the last few years as it’s been going through big changes. With the opening of Toy Story Land just recently and the expected opening of several other new attractions, including Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios is about to become a much busier park.

In this post, you’re going to get a few tips to help your visit to Hollywood Studios be more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone! They’re in no particular order, just kind of as they popped into my brain!

1. Don’t take photos at the Mickey and Brooms topiary first thing in the morning. You’ll thank me later. The morning might seem like a great time to take photos because everyone is still happy and not sweaty. But for the Mickey Topiary, morning is just not ideal. The sun will be RIGHT IN YOUR EYES! Even if it’s cloudy, you’ll still be squinting with the brightness. Do your whole family a favor and get that photo in the afternoon/early evening.

2. Get to the park for rope drop/opening. With Toy Story Land being BRAND NEW, the crowds are just really crazy. There is currently not a single-rider line for Slinky Dog coaster and it’s wildly popular. Get to the park at least 20 minutes before it’s scheduled to open as sometimes the park will open early. I’ve heard from multiple guests that if you get in right when it opens, you’ll be able to ride all of the rides, multiple times in some cases.

3. If you’re not an early morning person, you need to stay at a Disney Resort hotel and book your FastPasses 60 days in advance. You’ll still only be able to book one (1) FastPass for a Toy Story ride. I would suggest Slinky Dog as your FastPass ride. That line seems to be the longest. If you’re going to be able to visit Hollywood Studios on more than one day, you can get a FastPass for a different Toy Story ride for that other day.

4. Be aware that there is not a ton of shade, especially in Toy Story Land. Come prepared to hydrate and stay cool. Have your cooling towels and water bottles ready. Wear hats. Plan to see some of the shows throughout the day so you have sit-down and cool-down time.

5. Know which eating locations have indoor seating. Of course the Table Service restaurants will have indoor seating with beautiful Air Conditioning. But those are not your only options. Backlot Express will have some limited indoor seating, but they also have outdoor seating. Backlot Express can be found over by Star Tours. ABC Commissary has quite a bit of indoor seating and is located behind the Hyperion Theater (where the Frozen Sing-a-long shows).

6. The First Order marches every hour on the hour (except for 1:00 pm). So if you have a Star Wars crazed kid, you’ll have ample opportunities. It is pretty cool and lasts around 10-15 minutes so you can catch it and move on. Also, on the half hour, there is a Star Wars character show as well. Coordinate well and you can hit the First Order and then the Character show since they happen in the same place.

7. Speaking of Star Wars crazes…the Jedi Training Academy show is a really cool experience for kids age 5-12. They get to work with a Jedi Master and then fight elements of the dark side (i.e. Kylo Ten and Darth Vader). There are photographers on site to take photos too so you can just watch your kid be in Star Wars heaven. But if this is an experience you really want your kid to have, you need to get to the park as soon as it opens and go right to sign up. The sign up is located over by the Indiana Jones show, just down the way from 50’s Prime-Time Diner. There are quite a few shows, but this is an experience that is in high demand so you’ll want to follow these instructions so your kid can get into the show.

8. The Tower of Terror height restriction is 40″. Please keep in mind that just because your kid is tall enough, doesn’t mean they are ready for this ride. It can be quite scary. And while I’m all for encouraging children to step out of the comfort zone, let’s make sure we’re not scarring them for life.

I hope these tips help you out in your planning! If you have any questions about Hollywood Studios, feel free to comment below!

What to Wear to the Parks – Guys Edition

Hello everyone!

Recently Wendi wrote an awesome post about what to wear when you travel to Disney or any other theme park. It was catered more to women, but I’m here to help out the guys! A lot of the same principles will apply, but guys get the advantage of having deep pockets and usually comfortable shoes. As Wendi mentioned in her post, it’s really nice to go into a park without having to take a bag. That way you can go through security quickly and not have to lug a lot around. I’ll tailor my suggestions to that end. Here are my tips!

#1. Comfortable shoes

When you go to a theme park, you will do a LOT of walking. When I’ve traveled to the parks I often log about 25,000 steps per day. Most guys’ shoes are comfortable already, but maybe avoid things like high tops or other kinds of shoes that could rub against your heal. I usually just wear my running shoes or similarly built sneakers. Like THESE Nike Pegasus Running shoes from Amazon.

#2. Fun shirts!

It’s not required, but walking into the parks with a fun nerd shirt is the best (to clarify, it is required to wear a shirt). I’ve gotten multiple compliments on my pixilated Star Wars shirt or my Zelda: Breath of the Wild shirt. It’s just fun! I also recommend finding some shirts that are made of breathable material, like workout shirts. I have a Spiderman and Captain America shirt with that material and they breathe really well. If you plan to attend a park during the rainy season, you must plan to get wet. These shirts will be super helpful since they dry so easily. If you don’t have any nerdy shirts, get some! Here’s a similar Spider-Man shirt on amazon for only $12.99!

#3. Comfortable shorts

I’ve gone to Disney many times with normal khaki shorts and I’ve loved them, but recently I’ve found something even better. Costco was (is?) selling long Adidas basketball shorts with zipper pockets. These ones on Amazon look similar! They are amazing. I often get really anxious riding a rollercoaster that my phone is gonna fly out of my pockets. Not with these babies! They also breathe well, so Splash Mountain recovery is quick!

#4. Sunglasses/glasses and a microfiber cloth

I often like to wear my glasses into the park so I can see the shows better. I have sunglass attachments that I keep in my pocket. One thing that drives me nuts is going on a rollercoaster and hooking my glasses onto the inside of my shirt, because then it creates smudges all over. That’s why I bring a small microfiber cloth to clean them off afterward. It’s made a lot of difference.

#5. If rainy season, a poncho

Disney sells ponchos in every gift shop in the park, but they cost $10 each. If you can find a small poncho that folds down well, you should be able to slip it into your pocket and “save it for a rainy day.” In Florida it will often pour rain for about 20 minutes or so, then clear up. On other days, it will rain the whole day. I was at work yesterday without my poncho and got to experience the joy of that firsthand. Save yourself some trouble and some money by buying a poncho BEFORE you get into the park.

#6. Sunscreen/hat

If you can sunscreen yourself before entering the park, that is a good idea. I usually don’t bring it into the park myself, but thought it was important to mention it here so y’all don’t get burnt. It’s also handy to try to wear a hat. They don’t take up much space and they usually have bins on the fast rollercoasters so you can store them during the thrills. Make sure you SPF is at least 30! This Neutrogena is one of our favorites!

Those are the items I regularly bring. Pretty simple. That’s the best way to experience the parks, in my opinion. If you bring a backpack, you will get super sweaty from the humidity. Disney has free water at every quick service food location, so you should be able to effectively stay hydrated. If you want to save a few bucks on money, maybe you can pocket a protein bar or two. But I personally love to keep it simple.

I hope this helped! If you have specific cases or questions, please contact us and we’ll help you pack according to your needs. We’d love to hear from you!

Sun Survival Tips for Work or for Play

This post contains affiliate links. When you follow these links I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

With my new job, I spend a lot of time outside. Like A LOT. Especially since right now I’m only trained to work in the daytime. And while I come from the desert climate of Utah and am well adjusted to heat, Orlando heat and humidity for a 6 or 8 hour shift can be rough.

As an added “bonus” I discovered I have some weird skin conditions that rear their grotesque heads after intense exposure to the sun and heat. When I’ve traveled to Disney or other theme parks, I spend time outside, but I also go inside frequently for attractions, shows and eating. My job has me outside all the time for now. So I didn’t realize until the last couple of weeks how intense these issues were.

But, because of that, I’ve got some really useful tips and product suggestions for surviving work or fun in the sun!

#1- WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!

Whether you are going to be outside playing in the sun or working in the sun, the first thing you want to make sure you have is Sunscreen. SPF 30+ is recommended. Personally, I try to find SPF 50+. And I make sure I have some on me so I can reapply throughout the day. Honestly, the reapplication part is my biggest struggle. I’m going to give you a couple of suggestions for SPF and you can choose what works best for you.
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 Spray Sunscreen- $8.97 on Amazon
The spray-on option is nice because it makes application pretty easy. Although, you should rub in the sunscreen after you spray it on. For the most part, I really like how this goes on. My only problem is that I developed a weird allergy and needed to switch sunscreens. Which leads me to recommendation #2…
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin SPF 60+- $9.97 on Amazon
If you have skin that is sensitive or prone to eczema, this is a great option! It’s a cream sunscreen. But it helps to lock in the moisture and it’s specially formulated to not cause break outs or rashes. This is my new best friend. I simultaneously discovered that I have a weird stress-triggered eczema AND I am very sensitive to prolonged heat/sun exposure. This product solved my issues. Now I can prevent sunburn and keep my skin sensitivities at bay.

#2- STAY HYDRATED!!!

This is another vital step! When I work, I keep a water bottle clipped to my belt and we are encouraged to drink a bottle of water per hour. Because I am often busy helping guests, I don’t usually get a bottle per hour, but when I go on my breaks I try to make up for it. Also, remember to pre-hydrate before you get to you sunny activities. If you start out as a grape, it will take longer to get to the raisin point. If you’re already mostly raisin, you’re gonna have problems. Drink water on your way to work/fun time. Here are a couple of products that I really like and help me with my hydration needs.
This is my beverage of choice for my lunch break. It tastes great, has only 5 calories per serving and contains natural caffeine for a little extra boost. On my long shifts, it really helps to have the caffeine boost. But I don’t like soda. And frankly, you need to be careful about soda and coffee anyway. They will dehydrate you more quickly. Water is always a first choice, but sometimes you need to switch it up.
nuun electrolyte tablets- $18.04 for 40 tablets on Amazon
My friend introduced these to me and I’m excited to give them a try! They plop right into your water bottle and dissolve to give you subtle flavor and as well as electrolytes. Try them out on your next vacation or even when you’re doing your workouts!

#3- PROTECT YOUR FACE

Your face can definitely take a roasting in the sunshine. And you can’t just use any regular sunscreen on it because they could cause breakouts. So here are some options for your face protection-
Neutrogena UltraSheer Face and Body Stick SPF 70- $8.16 on Amazon
I’ve tried this one and I really like it. It’s like a stick of deodorant that you rub on your face. SPF 70 is fantastic protection too! It glides on easily over or under your make up (or use without make up). 
ELF Beauty Shield SPF 50- $12 at Target
This has kept my face completely protected. I can tell it’s working because if I miss a spot or don’t get close enough to my hairline, I get a little spot of sunburn. It goes on smoothly and SPF 50 on my face without break outs!!!! It’s the dream!
Neutrogena Revitalizing lip Balm SPF 20- $6.29 on Amazon
Don’t forget to protect your lips! Blisters and cold sores on your lips are not fun! This lip balm has several great color options and is so moisturizing AND has SPF 20! I love it. I have one that I keep at home and one that I carry with me while I work so I can reapply! 

#4- ACCESSORIZE!!!

Hats are in! Just ask the Queen of England! But really, if you’re going to spend a lot of time outside, do yourself and favor and get a hat. For work, I’m provided with a wide-brimmed hat. I wear it…sometimes. Honestly, sometimes it kind of feels like it gets in the way. But it does keep my ears from getting sunburned and protects my face and neck as well. I also have a baseball cap that I wear when I know I’m going to spend a day in the sun. And of course, if you’re super sensitive to the sun, consider wearing long sleeved Sun Protection Shirts.
UV/Sun Protection Shirts- $21.99 at Amazon
I am not currently using one of these because I’m afraid I’ll sweat even more and end up dehydrated, but I’ve definitely considered it and if you’re SUPER sun sensitive, please consider it.

#5- AFTER SUN PRODUCTS

Even if you do everything right, you still need to take care of yourself AFTER you’ve spent significant time in the sun. This is something I’ve been spending some time honing these last few weeks. Just like pre-hydration, I need to come home and post-hydrate as well. I usually come home and down a Powerade. My skin also needs some extra TLC after.
BananaBoat After Sun Gel- $13.99 for 2 pack on Amazon
Find a good after sun gel. This isn’t the one I use. I actually use the MaryKay after-sun replenishing gel. It’s a limited edition item and not always available, so I gave you link to a similar product available on Amazon. Even if you only get a little sun, use the gel! If you get sunburned, DEFINITELY use the gel! It keeps things cool and moisturizes your sunburn. It’s saved my life. I’ve definitely been getting sun, but because I’ve been using my after sun gel, I haven’t been peeling!
OZNaturals Vitamin C Mask- $13.49 on Amazon
Vitamin C is vital to sun exposure recovery. This mask has all of the important ingredients to help you skin recover. It’s also mild enough that it can be used daily. It helps my skin rebound after a day in the sun. I definitely see and feel the difference.
Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb sheet mask- $14.19 for a 6 pack on Amazon
It’s all about the hydration after sun exposure. Moisturizing sheet masks are great to add a little extra moisture to your face. My face definitely feels softer and happier after I use a moisturizing sheet mask.

Disney Fashion Series: What to Wear to the Parks

This post contains affiliate links. When you follow these links I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!


Disney Fashion is definitely a thing now. From character merchandise to Disney Bounding to what a person should wear in the theme parks, the category of Disney Fashion is full of fun!

In this, our first post in our Disney Fashion Series, we’re going to start with the basics…What should you wear in the parks?!
If you’ve been to a theme park, you’ve undoubtedly seen the whole spectrum of apparel. I see women in high heels and I simultaneously feel awe and pain. So how do you balance your fashion persona and your desire to not have your feet fall off?
Lucky for you, I’m here with some suggestions!
I get that tennis shoes are not for everyone. But hear me out for a minute (and I’ll give you alternatives too). Walking a theme park is no easy task. If you’re park hopping, you’re going to walk MULTIPLE theme parks! On average, we log about 20,000 steps when we visit for a full day. I don’t even want to think about doing that in heels. Or in any shoe that has not been “broken in”.
I love Sketchers! That new memory foam insole is a dream when you’re Disney-ing. Their shoes are light so you don’t feel like you’re dragging cement blocks around on your feet. I have a couple of different pair that I use for Disney as well as for regular campus hiking, walking around Costco, dance auditions and just general meandering. They wear well and the honestly last for quite some time. If you’re interested, here’s a link to a pair very similar to what I routinely wear.
Alright, for those of you who don’t want to feel like Disney is an athletic event, I’ve got another option for you. I recently purchased a pair of Oka-B ballet flats. I had been looking for some stylish flats that were also happy walking shoes. I had been looking for this very reason. When I’m in training at Disney, we have to be in business casual, but there’s a decent chance we’ll be walking around the parks from time to time. I had a friend suggest Oka-B.

So I bought a pair. And let me tell you…These shoes feel like a second pair of skin. They don’t slide on my heel. They have arch support, which is really unusual for ballet flats. And they’re comfortable to walk in. I hiked around campus in them for an entire day. No blisters. My feet got the normal amount of tired from extensive walking, but they didn’t hurt. I used them for my day of Disney orientation when we went into the parks. They were pretty comfortable. I think they’re best for days when it’s going to rain because then you don’t have to worry about wet socks etc. As it starts to get a bit hotter, your feet expand and sometimes feel a little squished. But I still love them. I have 2 other pair on the way and I can’t wait! They’re made in America and sold out of Georgia. And you can buy them on Amazon or through the Oka-B website! Worth every penny, guys! (I really want the Dorothy flats that are glittered)
So now that we’ve got your feet taken care of….Let’s talk about pants.
Disney has security screening outside each of their parks. If you have a bag, you have to have it searched. If you don’t have a bag, you can expedite the process and go through the “No Bag” screening line. You typically still have to go through a metal detector, but that takes less time than having every item in every bag searched and then going through the detector.
What I’m saying is that if you can go bagless, DO IT! Even if the majority of your party can go bagless and just one person can stand in the bag line, your life will be less stressful. So on that note…
POCKETS ARE YOUR FRIENDS!
“But Wendi! Pants with pockets tend to be hot and uncomfortable. And we’re talking about Florida or California here!”
Guys. Do not doubt me. I got you.
Leggings with Pockets. They are a thing and they are magical. They come in a variety of lengths. All you need is your phone and maybe your ID and a credit card. Get one of these phone cases with a card slot and you’re set. My phone slides right in the side pocket on these babies at this link. They’re cost effective and they’re breathable and perfect for Theme Park weather. Follow my link here to the ones that I’ve really loved!
What if you need or want a bag? Well, I’ve got some an option for you there too. Now that we live in Florida, sometimes it’s nice to be able to take a bag. We just pop in for a couple of hours so we take snacks or even lunch. That way we’re not spending all of our Disney College Program monies in the parks. A bag like this is a great option.


You’re never fully dressed without sunglasses. Well, at least that’s the case in the Sunshine State! Obviously everyone has their own sunglass preference. I’m just telling you that you’ll definitely want a pair. Maybe a less expensive pair, just in case they get lost or scratched. Like these.
I’m going to do another post about character apparel so I’m just going to tell you this about tops: find something light and airy. And don’t wear multiple shirts if you don’t have too. The more the layers, the more you’re going to sweat. You want to wear something that is breathable! Trust me.

These are just a few thoughts about your Disney Park apparel! Everyone has their own style so you should choose what works best for you. But these are tried-and-true tips! Do you have any tips of your own to add? Comment below! 

And stay tuned for more Disney Fashion Series posts!

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