20 Things to do in Orlando During Summer

20 Things to do in Orlando During Summer
Brenda
Brenda 
Updated
| 10 min read

Undoubtedly synonymous with family-friendly fun, theme parks, and a good time for all, Orlando is one of the top holiday destinations in the United States. In the summer months, the young and old alike flock to this sunny city in the south, looking to enjoy its sprawling theme parks and unforgettable attractions. Yet, as sunny as Orlando can be, a major downer can drop by at times — rain.

Rain is a common occurrence in Orlando, but it can be a pain for visitors. After all, who wants to queue for a ride at Disney World in the midst of a downpour? With a rain forecast of 60% or higher in the summer, it’s important to have a wet weather plan in your itinerary.

Not sure what to include? Here are 20 awesome things to do during a stormy Orlando summer!

Find everything on International Drive

IDrive Street View
Source: Photo by user IDriveDistrict used under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of Orlando’s hottest tourist districts, International Drive is a thoroughfare of attractions stretching from Artegon Marketplace to Old Town in neighboring Kissimmee. Rain or shine, there’s always something to do here; and anytime the weather clears, Orlando’s famed theme parks are just a stone’s throw away!

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1. Whizz around in Whirlydome

Posted by WhirlyDome on Wednesday, 23 October 2013

Spice up a stormy day with this extraordinary indoor sport! A unique hybrid of bumper cars, hockey, basketball, and jai-alai, Whirlyball is the Whirlydome’s signature sport and claim to fame. Fun is guaranteed in a game full of clumsiness and laughter, played with two teams of five people.

If you’d like to try something different, there’s no need to brave the rain to another location! Whirlydome is bursting with games for all ages, from an arcade to laser tag, laser frenzy, and even an F1 Racecar Simulator — the first of its kind in North America!

WhirlyDome

Address: 6464 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 8 USD per person for one game/ride of WhirlyBall, Laser Tag, or F1 Racecar Simulator; 5 USD minimum per play card for arcade games and for 2 missions of Laser Frenzy

Opening Hours:Tues to Thurs: 4 pm–10 pm; Fri: 4 pm–12 am; Sat: 11 am–12 am; Sun: 11 am–10 pm; closed on Mondays.

Contact: +1 407-212-3030

Website

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2. Chill out at Kings Orlando

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Kings Orlando from Noon to Midnight & All Ages are Welcome

Posted by Kings Dining & Entertainment on Friday, 25 November 2016

Up for an adults-only night with your friends or loved ones? Kings Orlando is the place to be! Open into the wee hours of the morning, Kings is a mature, retro-chic environment where one can enjoy quality time with a night of bowling, billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, or ping pong.

But that’s not all! Sip a crafty cocktail or beer to complement your night out, and if you’re feeling peckish, their one-of-a-kind culinary options will leave you spoilt for choice.

Kings Orlando

Address: 8255 International Drive, Vue at 360, Orlando, FL 32819, United States

Price: from 13 USD for a meal (including appetiser and main course)

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 12 pm–2 am; Fri to Sun: 11 am–2 am

Contact: +1 407-363-0200

Website

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3. Tee in the dark at Putting Edge

Try out a twist on mini golf at Putting Edge, a different kind of indoor mini golf course. Drenched in black light and lined with glow-in-the-dark murals, each stroke of the club presents a thrilling new challenge. Navigate your way through areas themed after the beach to outer space, and take a shot in the dark for a hole-in-one!

Putting Edge Orlando

Address: Artegon Marketplace, 5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 13 & over: 11.50 USD; 12 & under: 9.50 USD

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 11 am–9 pm; Fri to Sat: 11 am–11 pm; Sun: 11 am–8 pm

Contact: +1 407-248-0700

Website

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4. Give Machine Gun America a shot

End your year with a Blast at Machine Gun America! Use Phrase "Blast" for 17% off All Experiences on New Years Eve Only! Open 10 AM-5PM!

Posted by Machine Gun America on Friday, 30 December 2016

Speaking of taking shots, what better way to have an all-American holiday than to experience their questionable gun laws? Try your hand at firing a few kinds of guns at Machine Gun America! Though visiting this locale can get pricey, every dollar spent will be worth it when you jump into one of their unique experiences, which range from special ops to silver screen legends. If you’re new to guns, worry not — they provide gun safety courses as well!

Machine Gun America

Address: 5825 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746, USA

Price: 99.99 USD–799.99 USD, depending on package chosen. Cheaper experiences also available.

Opening Hours: Sun to Fri: 10 am–8 pm; Sat: 10 am–9 pm

Contact: +1 407-278-1800

Website

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5. Annihilate the apocalypse at Zombie Outbreak


Once you’ve got your share of target practice at Machine Gun America, head on over to Zombie Outbreak. The concept of a zombie apocalyse is an exciting one to consider in pop culture, but have you ever wondered how you’d fare in a Train to Busan or Walking Dead kind of setting? Now’s your chance to find out!

Challenge your survival and combat skills in this real-life video game, where you and your team use replicas of real-life weapons (such as the CQB short rifle and M4 rifle) to clear a zombie-infested military base. Be prepared for thrills and scares in this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and remember, always aim for the head!

Orlando Zombie Outbreak

Address: 7364 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: from 25 USD per ticket

Opening Hours: Tues to Thurs: 4 pm–10 pm; Fri: 2 pm–10 pm; Sat: 12 pm–10 pm; Sun: 2 pm–8 pm; closed on Mondays.

Contact: +1 407-745-4068

Website

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6. See to believe at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium

At this locale and you’ll find something you’ve never seen before! Enter the curious, lopsided facade of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, separated into sixteen galleries of bizarre oddities, one-of-a-kind displays, and optical illusions. These include the real shrunken head of a human, a seven-legged sheep, a mural made from 8,500 playing cards, and a 14-foot portrait of The Last Supper made from dryer lint.

Open 365 days a year, this eccentric collection makes an enjoyable last resort should any other places on your itinerary be closed or crowded.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando

Address: 8201 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 13 & above: 16.99 USD; 4 to 12: 10.99 USD

Opening Hours: 9 am–11 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-345-0501

Website

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7. Wander around WonderWorks

WonderWorks (73)
Source: Photo by user Philipp Meier used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Another attraction open 365 days a year is the whimsical WonderWorks! A once top-secret laboratory in the Bermuda Triangle, this strange structure was said to be swept away by an experiment gone awry, and made its new home inverted on the grounds of International Drive!

Enter this wacky wonderland for a day of fun and learning! Interactive exhibits in the building’s ‘WonderZones’ allow you to experience a more dangerous side of science — experience the winds of a category 1 hurricane, lie on a bed of nails, try on a spacesuit, learn the ropes of a forensic scientist here!

Looking for a more active breed of fun? Enter the 4D theatre for an immersive adventure, or treat yourself to a game of laser tag, an arcade game, or the challenging ropes obstacle course!

WonderWorks Orlando

Address: Pointe Orlando, 9067 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: Adults: 29.99 USD; Children: 23.99 USD

Opening Hours: 9 am–12 am daily

Contact: +1 407-351-8800

Website

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8. Jump on board a sunken ship at Titanic: The Experience

The Titanic — one of the world’s most famous man-made tragedies, made a household name by the cinematic masterpiece starring dreamboat Leonardo DiCaprio. Ever wonder what the passengers on board this luxury liner experienced prior to the boat’s sinking a century ago? Experience it for yourself in Titanic: The Experience!

On tours led by actors playing notable figures (such as the Titanic’s captain, Captain Edward Smith), explore true-to-life recreations of some of the Titanic’s most prevalent venues, such as the Grand Staircase, First Class Parlor Suite, Veranda Cafe, and Promenade Deck. Get to know locations where integral events took place (such as the Marconi room, where the ship’s distress signals were dispatched), and see actual artefacts recovered from the shipwreck within the museum! There’s even an exhibit featuring an iceberg to experience the chill of that night.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

Address: 7324 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: Adult: 21.95 USD; Children (5 to 11): 15.95 USD; Seniors: 19.75 USD

Opening Hours: 10 am–6 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-248-1166

Website

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9. See beyond skin deep at Skeletons: Animals Unveiled

Skeletons Animals Unveiled Rhino Skeleton
Source: Photo by user JimJones1971 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Skeletons aren’t just good for Halloween! Explore a different side of animal anatomy in Skeletons: Animals Unveiled, a museum dedicated to bones! One of the only two museums of its kind in the United States, Skeletons is a family-run museum featuring over 400 real animal skeletons in poses and dioramas like you’ve never seen before. Learn a thing or two yourself as you walk through the museum’s forty exhibits, which even feature real bones in the midst of decomposition!

Skeletons: Animals Unveiled

Address: 8441 International Dr Suite 250, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 12 & over: 19.99 USD; 3 to 11: 12.99 USD; free for visitors under 3.

Opening Hours: 10 am–10 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-203-6999

Website

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10. See the sea at Sea Life Aquarium!

Need a wet weather plan for your trip to Animal Kingdom? An equally exotic experience awaits visitors within Sea Life Aquarium, an indoor aquatic zoo along International Drive! Watch marine fauna interact in its vast aquariums, including their spectacular 360º observation tunnel! Besides seeing seahorses, turtles, sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, an octopus, and loads of colorful fish, interact with coral, sea anemone, and other creatures in their interactive rock pools. Be sure to check their schedule for shows, talks, and feeding times for an all around experience.

SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium

Address: 8449 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 13 & over: 25 USD; 3 to 12: 20 USD; free for visitors under 3.

Opening Hours: 10 am–9 pm daily

Contact: +1 866-622-0607

Website

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11. Monkey around at Monkey Joe’s!

Posted by Monkey Joe's on Monday, 6 June 2016

Got some restless kids in tow? Let them run wild at Monkey Joe’s, the ultimate rainy day playground for kids! With playgrounds, jungle gyms, bouncy castles, obstacle courses, arcade games, and even a prize counter, they’ll be dizzy with fun and staying sunny through the rain. If you get hungry, worry not — there’s a dining area full of treats where you can relish in a bite or two!

Monkey Joe's – Pointe Orlando

Address: Pointe Orlando, 9101 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 12.99 USD per child; free for adults.

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 10:30 am–8 pm; Fri: 10:30 am–10 pm; Sat: 10 am–10 pm; Sun: 11 am–8 pm

Contact: +1 407-352-8484

Website

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12. Break out in an escape room game

Posted by Escapology Escape Rooms Orlando on Friday, 16 September 2016

What better way to bond with your companions than to try the game of the moment? A challenge of teamwork, wits, and organisation, escape room games are an exciting, popular game, so much so they even caught the attention of the Obamas!

Along International Drive alone, there are three escape room outlets — America’s Escape Game, Escapology, and The Escape Game Orlando. Test your agility, intellect, and ability to cope under stress in one of their unique themed rooms! While Escapology reserves their rooms exclusively for your group, The Escape Game and America’s Escape Game encourages players to share their rooms with strangers, presenting you with an opportunity to make new friends.

America's Escape Game

Address: 8723 International Dr #115, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 29 USD–35 USD per person, depending on game chosen.

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 1 pm–10 pm; Fri & Sat: 10 am–1 am; Sun: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

Contact: +1 407-412-5585

Website

Escapology Escape Games Orlando

Address: 11951 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32821, USA

Price: 29 USD per person

Opening Hours: Mon to Thurs: 12 pm–10 pm; Fri to Sun: 10 am–11 pm

Contact: +1 407-278-1515

Website

The Escape Game Orlando

Address: 8145 International Dr #511, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 31.99 USD–37.99 USD per person, depending on game chosen.

Opening Hours: 9:30 am–12 am daily

Contact: +1 407-501-7222

Website

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13. Speed up at I-Drive NASCAR

The weekend starts NOW! And we're ready for some racing. Stop by tonight, we are open until midnight! #idrivenascar

Posted by I-Drive NASCAR on Friday, 27 January 2017

Revv up your engines and get ready to race at International Drive’s ultimate go-kart destination, I-Drive NASCAR! Don your helmets and board sophisticated electric karts, from which you can navigate your way about an indoor racecourse full of turns, hairpins, a chicane, and the ‘Senna S.’ Reach speeds of up to 45mph, and learn the meanings of flags waved during NASCAR races.

If you’re tired of racing, grab a bite to eat in their restaurant, or have some more fun bowling or playing arcade games within the complex!

I-Drive NASCAR Indoor Kart Racing

Address: 5228 Vanguard St, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 16 & above: 18.99 USD; under 16: 16.99 USD

Opening Hours: Sun to Thurs: 12 pm–10 pm; Fri & Sat: 11 am–12 am

Contact: +1 407-581-9644

Website

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14. See sweetness at Chocolate Kingdom: Interactive Factory Adventure Tour


Ever wonder how the chocolates we all know and love are derived from a small, bitter bean? Explore this, along with other bite-sized facts, in Orlando’s Chocolate Kingdom! Possibly the most unique chocolate experience in North America, Chocolate Kingdom’s Interactive Factory Adventure Tour takes you through the process of how cocoa beans from tropical locales are transformed into the sweet, creamy treat we all know and love. For an even sweeter experience, unleash the chocoholic in you by creating your own custom chocolate bar!

Chocolate Kingdom

Address: 9901 Hawaiian Ct, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Price: 13 & over: 16.95 USD; 4 to 12: 12.95 USD

Opening Hours: 10 am–6:30 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-705-3475

Website

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Beyond I-Drive

patterns
Source: Photo by user Athena Iluz used under CC BY 2.0

Beyond the tourist attractions and games on i-Drive, Orlando is a city teeming with culture, entertainment, and a unique urban heartbeat. Take a trip to downtown Orlando and beyond for a taste of its culture, heritage, food, and more fun activities!

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15. Osceola County Welcome Center & History Museum

While it’s true that the principal attractions of Orlando and Kissimmee lie in their theme parks, take some time to appreciate the heritage of these locales in the Osceola County Welcome Center & History Museum. Step back to the 19th century in this museum, where you’ll get to explore dioramas of the four habitats you could encounter in the area: swamplands, pine flatwoods, oak hammock, and lakefront. While the young ones may find interest in the scavenger hunts, take this opportunity to learn how history and nature came together in building the beauty of Osceola County.

If the rain clears up after your visit here, set aside some time to explore the Pioneer Village as well; here, you’ll get to explore the restored dwellings of some of the area’s first settlers.

Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum

Address: 4155 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34741, USA

Price: Free; though donations are appreciated.

Opening Hours: 9 am–5 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-396-8644

Website

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16. Hannibal Square Heritage Center

Posted by Hannibal Square Heritage Center on Friday, 20 May 2016

The Welcome Center, History Museum, and Pioneer Village aren’t the only tributes to heritage in Orlando! Head up to Winter Park, an African-American neighbourhood, and explore the legacy of its founders in the Hannibal Square Heritage Center.

Find a depiction of the hardships and triumphs of Winter Park’s first residents, who were mostly freed African-American slaves. Accompanying photos from the 20th century are documented oral histories from old residents themselves, depicting stories that would have been otherwise lost to time.

Depending on your period of visit, you may also get the chance to see visiting exhibitions, most of which revolve around related artistic or historical themes.

Hannibal Square Heritage Center

Address: 642 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA

Price: Free; though donations are appreciated.

Opening Hours: Tues to Thurs: 12 pm–4 pm; Fri: 12 pm to 5 pm; Sat: 10 am–2 pm; closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Contact: +1 407-539-2680

Website

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17. Warm up with some coffee at an indie cafe

"(Murdered by pirates is good!)"
Source: Photo by Flickr user Chad Miller used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Take a break from tourist activities and get a taste of Orlando’s urban culture! Head downtown for a diversity of indie venues, where you can chow down on a scrumptious meal or pass the time on a rainy day. Find creative, upscale burgers and a drink or two at the graffiti-lined Graffiti Junktion, or watch that waistline with a healthier, vegetarian-friendly alternative from Dandelion Communitea Cafe or Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria.

If your day is almost over, head to Stardust Video & Coffee, where you can grab a vegan-friendly bite to eat and rent a VHS tape for movie night! If your accommodations don’t quite accommodate VHS tapes, head up to Maitland, where you can indulge in a meal and an indie film at Enzian Theater.

Graffiti Junktion Thornton Park

Address: 700 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801, USA

Price: from 22 USD for a meal of 1 starter, 1 side and 1 classic

Opening Hours: 11 am–2 am daily

Contact: +1 321-424-5800

Website

Dandelion Communitea Cafe

Address: 618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Price: from 21 USD for a meal of 1 appetizer, 1 main, and 1 cup of tea

Opening Hours: Mon to Sat: 11 am–10 pm; Sun: 11 am–5 pm

Contact: +1 407-362-1864

Website

Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria

Address: 7 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Price: from 13 USD for a meal of 1 main, 1 side, and 1 cup of tea

Opening Hours: Mon to Wed: 11 am–10 pm; Thurs: 11 am–5 am; Fri: 11 am–12 am; Sun: 12 am–6 pm; open 24 hours on Saturday.

Contact: +1 407-894-0865

Website

Stardust Video & Coffee

Address: 1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Price: from 10 USD

Opening Hours: Mon to Fri: 7 am–12 am; Sat & Sun: 8 am–12 am

Contact: +1 407-623-3393

Website

Enzian Theater

Address: 1300 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751, USA

Price: Regular: 11 USD; Student, seniors, US Military personnel (with ID): 9 USD

Opening Hours: 11 am–10 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-629-0054

Website

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18. Go crazy with creativity at the Crayola Experience


Restless kids stuck indoors because of a storm that just won’t stop — nothing could be worse on a family vacation to the Theme Park Capital. Instead of wasting a day indoors, head on over to the Florida Mall, where you’ll find the Crayola Experience. With 26 attractions, this massive facility is enough to keep families occupied for hours. Let your creativity run wild, and enjoy a plethora of colorful activities like painting with melted wax, learning how crayons are made, creating glow-in-the-dark doodles, bringing your drawings to life with technology, and molding your models made with crayon wax!

Crayola Experience

Address: The Florida Mall, 8001 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809, USA

Price: 3 & above: 22.99 USD

Opening Hours: 10 am–8 pm daily

Contact: +1 407-757-1700

Website

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19. Orlando Museum of Art

museum
Source: Photo by user Tricia used under CC BY 2.0

For an equally artistic yet more mature escape, spend a rainy day in peace at Orlando Museum of Art. A centerpiece of Orlando’s art scene, stroll around exhibits of African, American, Ancient American, contemporary, and graphic art on display, and maybe stop by a temporary exhibition or two.

Orlando Museum of Art

Address: 2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, USA

Price: Adults: 15 USD; Seniors (above 65): 8 USD; College students (with valid ID) & children (14 to 17): 5 USD; Active duty US Military personnel & veterans (with valid ID): Free

Opening Hours: Tues to Fri: 10 am–4 pm; Sat & Sun: 12 pm–4 pm; closed on Mondays.

Contact: +1 407-896-4231

Website

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20. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Winter Park FL CH Morse Museum02
Source: Photo by user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0

For a further artistic experience, make your next stop the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. A more specialised museum, this museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of art by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the American artist most closely associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements. Step around galleries of intricate art pieces ranging from jewelry to paintings and stained glass art. Peruse some of the artefacts from the artist’s Long Island Estate, and admire his contributions to these spectacular movements. The museum also celebrates its golden anniversary in 2017, so keep an eye out for any special events!

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

Address: 445 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, USA

Price: Adults: 6 USD; Seniors (60 & above): 5 USD; Students (with valid ID): 1 USD; free for children under 12.

Opening Hours: Tues to Thurs & Sat: 9:30 am–4 pm; Fri: 9:30 am–8 pm; Sun: 1 pm–4 pm; closed on Mondays.

Contact: +1 407-645-5311

Website

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Rain won't ruin this holiday!

What would the Theme Park Capital of the world be if it allowed rain to get in the way of fun? Of course, little else beats the exhilaration of Disney World, Universal Studios, or any other theme park here, but with these 20 activities, we hope the rain won’t get in the way of your holiday.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Brenda is a vibrant individual passionate about (way too) many things. An explorer, artist and optimist at heart, she is in love with the world and the beauty it has to offer. Her travels thus far...Read more

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