Expanding the Magic...with Disney Parks Recipes

One of the ways our family likes to get our Disney fix is by doing things that remind us of our past Walt Disney World vacations. We view our vacation videos over and over. We add to our vacation scrapbook each time we take a trip. And we try to replicate our favorite Disney Parks foods. We've had pretty good success with Tonga Toast from the Polynesian, Chocolate Mousse from Epcot/France, and Cheddar Cheese Soup from Epcot/Canada. (I did NOT have success with the Pumpkin Beignets recipe from Club 33.) Ocassionally, Disney is kind enough to share one of their signature recipes. Often, you can find a copycat recipe that a talented fan has posted on the Internet (they're never quite as good as the real thing).  Here's a favorite of mine--but I'm not sure if I'm quite up to the task of tackling it just yet:

School Bread/Norway/Epcot

Ingredients:

2 pints water

3 oz. dry yeast

3 1/2 oz. sugar

2 1/2 oz. melted butter

1 tsp. cardamom

2 lbs. flour

1 whole egg

8 oz. shredded coconut

12 oz. vanilla custard

Heat water and butter to 95 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, cardamom, yeast, and egg together for five minutes until dough is stiff. Form it into a ball and place in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap, and let it set until dough has doubled in size (about 45 minutes). Roll the dough into a long snake-like shape and cut into five ounce pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and put on a non-stick pan; let them set for 30 minutes. Bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Let cool.

Mix powdered sugar and water until desired icing consistency is achieved. Form hole in bread using finger. Dip bread in icing (hole side down) and sprinkle with shredded coconut. Using pastry bag, squeeze vanilla custard inside of hole and swirl at top for decoration.

If you're really industrious and want to make your own custard, here's the recipe:

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

4 egg yolks

1 TBSP corn starch

In heavy saucepan bring milk to a boil. Set aside. In another bowl beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture doubles by volume. Add hot milk a few drops at a time to temper the eggs. Mix well after each addition. Place in metal mixing bowl and place over double boiler. Dissolve cornstarch in a little water and add in a thin stream while stirring constantly until it thickens to proper consistency. It must not boil. Cool by placing pan in ice bath.

Great Low-Commitment Way to Decorate a Room

I don't know about your kids, but my girls seem to have a new favorite character (usually the newest Disney Princess) every month--and they want their rooms to reflect their preferences. While I'm unwilling to redecorate on every whim, I do want my girls' rooms to be their own--to be havens that they will enjoy and appreciate. For my oldest daughter, we started with a basic pink bedspread and filled the room with DP accessories, pictures, and even toys. Since we used a general DP theme, each "new" princess fits in rather well. (For my youngest daughter, we actually "helped" her make the choice of Ariel, and we've decorated accordingly. Hey, we had a lot of Ariel stuff, and this frugal mom didn't want it to go to waste!) Now that my firstborn is getting older, she is planning to switch to a more grown-up "Paris" theme for her bedroom, and little sister will inherit her DP shelves, lamp, and toy bin. (I'm hoping this happens AFTER we move--if our house ever sells!)

All this to say, I've been scouring the Internet for inexpensive and easy ways to liven up the girls' rooms--and I stumbled across one of the easiest ways to make a big impact on a room with very little commitment: stickers! These aren't your garden variety stickers on a page; they are decals made especially for walls, and they stick on and come off so easily! (They work best on a semi-gloss paint, rather than flat.) They range in price from under $10 to around $50 (some very large stickers cost more), and they are very low maintenance. Here are a few of my favorite Disney-themed versions:

















These are so inexpensive that I've even purchased them to decorate for birthday parties (see below)--then they come down immediately after. And, if you're very careful, you can actually re-use them!

Hidden Mickey Monday

Hello, Monday morning! Nothing like a bowl of Cheerios to start your morning...and with a bonus Mickey!



 

 

 

 

Characters Make Every Day More Fun!

We're always looking for ways to infuse a little bit of Disney fun into the every day. One fun way we do this is by purchasing Disney-themed beauty and personal care items for everyday use. Here are some fun new items I found while cruising one of my favorite e-commerce sites. (Hello, my name is Valerie, and I am addicted to Amazon.com!)

  I had never seen Phineas & Ferb items--excited about this!



  My girls take these--there are a variety of characters available.



  Glad to be done with this stage, but we went through TONS of these!

  They cure everything, don't they?

Cutest Disney Baby Items

When our girls were babies, we weren't quite as obsessed with all things Disney as we are now. Oh, we were fans, but we hadn't yet experienced the joys of taking our children to WDW, which brought us to a whole new level of fan-dom. And the whole Disney Princess phenomenon hadn't yet taken off, so most Disney-themed baby items tended to feature Pooh. But as I've been looking for gifts for a few friends with tiny ones, I've discovered a whole world of awesome--and not just the predictable!--Disney-themed baby products. Here are a few of my favorites:

  I completely LOVE this! So very cute!

  Stylish and functional!

  Every baby needs tons of these!

  Available in several styles/characters.

  Every princess needs a "throne."

  These are great for traveling.

  Princess on board.

  Vintage Mickey--LOVE!

  And, yes, they still make some very cute Pooh stuff.

Friday Photo

Hard to believe that she turned 9 this week (sigh)...my sweet Reagan on her first ever visit to Walt Disney World:

Thursday's Tip

I have a confession to make: Though I am constantly seeking and trying new experiences in and around Walt Disney World, I have never taken my two princess-loving daughters to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Have you seen what they charge for the whole enchilada of a makeover? My frugal nature just won't allow it. On top of that, I actually really don't like the way the hairstyles look--particularly the uber-tight-on-top-of-the-head buns with tiny plastic tiaras attached to them. Every little girl that emerges looks basically the same--so where's the fun in that? (But mostly, it's the money thing.)

So, here's my Thursday's Tip: do your own Disney Princess makeover for a fraction of the cost. First, the costumes. When purchased at the right time (usually after Halloween, but sometimes earlier in the year if they're clearing out old costumes to make way for new designs), I have bought Disney Princess costumes from the Disney Store for around $20--sometimes even less! (And, let's be clear--these are WAY nicer than the licensed versions you find at other stores.) For makeup, you can find all manner of sparkly stuff in the cosmetics aisle of Target or Wal-Mart. They make glitter lotion, glitter eye shadow, glitter hairspray, and even a fine glitter that you can shake on almost anything. (Trust me, that stuff sticks wherever it lands!)

As for the hairstyle, this is where you can get creative. And you can tailor it to whichever princess your child is portraying. But if you want to stick with simplicity, try a ballet bun. Simply put the hair in a ponytail (high, but not ON TOP of the head), wrap it around itself (you can add a small hairpiece from your local beauty supply if your child's hair isn't quite thick enough), and secure with pins. As a ballet mom, let me offer the secret weapon from my arsenal: an old lady hair net (the thin kind your grandma probably wore home from the beauty shop). I put the net around the wrapped hair before pinning, and it keeps all those little wispy parts tucked in neatly.

With costume and all, you've probably spend less than $30 to complete the look....compare that to around $150 at BBB. With the extra $120, you can book a character meal! (OK, maybe not the whole family at Cinderella's Royal Table, but it's a good start!)

Thursday's Tip

One of the ways we save money when traveling to Walt Disney World is by taking our own snacks. We typically eat breakfast in our room, so I always pack cereal, instant oatmeal, and various granola/cereal bars. But I also pack small snacks--and treats--to take inside the Parks each day--things like crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc. (I also let each daughter carry  her own snacks, which takes the responsibility off of me. They usually get two things each that they can eat whenever they want, knowing that when their allotment is gone, they don't get more.) Here's the "Thursday's Tip" part: to make things a little more fun, I search for Disney-themed snacks! You can often find Disney items in your own grocery store--things like fruit snacks or even some cracker/cookies. But I've found that one of the best ways to get Disney-themed snacks is to purchase online. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

Fun New Licensed Disney Apparel at Target

OK, so this has to be one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. These shirts work with an app called "Zapper"--a quick and free download (we did it right in the store). You simply download the app, then hold your phone or mobile device up to the shirt, and lots of fun things will happen--music, video, and even games! The coolest part? These shirts were only $8 at our local Target! What a bargain!

 

Also, I noticed some other fun products in the Artist Collection at Target too.



And, look! It's Oswald!

Celebrities at Walt Disney World

As I've mentioned, we live in Nashville where celebrity sightings--at least the country music variety--are not all that unusual. (I could drop some names here, but that would be tacky, wouldn't it? We even attend church with someone widely considered a country music legend...but, again, I won't drop names.) More and more, celebrities from other genres are discovering Nashville too because, for the most part, people here leave celebrities alone and respect their private lives. Sure, we're all gawking on the inside, but we have the Southern decency to be cool and act unimpressed.

Over the weekend, we had one such celeb sighting, as a Nashville power couple (he's a country artist and she's a bona fide movie star) attended a production of The Secret Garden, which just happened to feature my oldest daughter as the Robin. The coolest part is that the pair didn't know any of the kids in the show--they simply wanted to support their community and expose their daughters to local children's theatre.

That got me thinking about what may have been my very first experience at being "starstruck." It was the early 80s, and we were on vacation at--you guessed it!--Walt Disney World. Standing in line for the monorail to Epcot, we spotted a familiar bearded face...it was Randy Owen of the country group Alabama. Now, you must understand that this was perhaps the height of Alabama's fame. Clearly, many of those around him were quite aware of who he was. But everyone seemed to be letting him enjoy his family vacation...kinda like folks do in Nashville. (In full disclosure, I must admit that my paparazzi father took a picture--from a distance--and later did approach Owen when he was alone, to quickly shake his hand and thank him for his music. Sadly, the pic is in Indiana at my parents' house, so I couldn't post it.)

Since then, we have seen other celebrities at WDW, although most often in official capacities (performing/greeting) instead of on their family vacations. And I have Cast Member friends who've had their share of contact with stars while on the job. Due to location, more famous folks tend to take their kiddos to Disneyland than WDW, but there are still plenty who make the trek to Florida to see the World too. And you never know--when you least expect it, you may look behind you in line for Space Mountain and find a familiar face standing there!

How about my readers? Have any of you had a fun celeb sighting at WDW?

Hidden Mickey Monday

There are actually two similar Hidden Mickeys at this location (in different areas). I'm pretty sure I've posted a pic of the other one, but here's the second Hidden Mickey at The Seas with Nemo and Friends:

Pre-Order "The Avengers" Now

Marvel's The Avengers will be releasing on September 25, but you can pre-order it from Amazon now. (Here's something really cool about pre-ordering from Amazon: if the price goes down between when you order and the release date, you'll receive the lowest price!) There are several versions of this DVD/Blu-ray available, so make sure you get the one that suits your needs. We tend to go for the combo packs, since they have both Blu-ray and DVD--we use one at home and the other in the car. And even the 3D Blu-ray combo packs usually come with a "regular" Blu-ray. Just be sure to check the fine print to make sure you're getting what you want. Here are links to the the three main versions from most expensive 3D combo pack to your basic DVD (all at pretty good price points too!):







I haven't seen the movie yet, but my husband took our oldest daughter and they both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Friday Photo

This is, hands down, the hardest puzzle I've ever attempted. Not because it has so many pieces (it's only 500), but because of the sheen to the pieces...it's almost impossible to be certain if a piece truly matches. I never did get the last 3 pieces to fit! And you may not be able to see this from the photo, but it's missing a piece. So, here's a Friday Photo of my almost finished puzzle. I think I'm giving up for now.

Thursday's Tip

OK, so here's the "duh" tip of the century: when touring the Disney Parks, wear comfortable shoes. It's a given, right? Everyone knows this. But what constitutes comfortable is different for everyone. I cannot imagine wearing flip-flops all day long, and yet I see countless park-goers doing just that. Some guests are big fans of Crocs. (Personally, I just can't get past how they look, but my children seem to enjoy them.)

For most of us, athletic shoes are the way to go. More specifically, I wear running shoes because they tend to have great arch support and be vented near the toes, keeping my feet cooler. (The irony here is that I almost never wear athletic shoes in my "regular" life. During the summer, I tend to wear sandals, flip-flops, or pretty heels if I'm dressing up. And in the fall/winter months, I either wear boots or some sort of loafers.) But I do encounter one problem with my running shoes: water. As we all know, it rains often in Florida. And the Disney Parks also have a few fun attractions that will get your feet wet. So, on any given day in the Parks, I end up with wet feet...and that is no fun! While I typically pack a spare pair for the following day, I'm still stuck with wet feet for the day.

In search of the perfect pair of shoes, I have tried on more than a few styles, and I think I have finally come up with my new favorite pair of Park touring shoes. Mine are Sketchers, but I've seen similar styles in other brands. I gave them a test run this past week at Holiday World (yes, it rained and, yes, we got very wet on a few water rides). At the end of the day, my feet were tired, but not more than expected after a day of walking. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Here they are:



They cost around $50, but I got them on a BOGO half off when my husband bought some new shoes too, so they were a pretty good deal. (I buy cheap fun shoes, but I don't skimp when I know I need quality and comfort.) Like flip-flops, I don't need socks--and there's nothing worse than wet socks! But like athletic shoes, they cradle your feet and stay on well.

I still plan to pack my favorite pair of running shoes as a backup. I find my feet actually feel better when I rotate two pairs. But I think I'm a convert--I'm hooked! So, how about you? What are your favorite comfy shoes to wear in the Parks?

Ever-Dropping "Value" of the Dining Plan

TouringPlans.com has a really enlightening blog post about the diminishing value of the Disney Dining Plan over the years since its debut in 2005. This story also gives a detailed explanation of why the DDP may not be the best deal for every family (yes, they even crunched the numbers), and bring up points that you might not have considered.

I contend that, even when it's free--yes FREE--the DDP is not the best deal for my own family. We always get a room-only discount (either a PIN code or a discount for the general public) and we also get our tickets either from an approved vendor or through Disney's YES programs. We would never eat enough as a family to justify having the DDP. (That said, if my husband and I ever get to go to WDW on a romantic getaway without the kids, we'd definitely consider it as a splurge!)

Hidden Mickey Tuesday?

Yesterday our family took a little jaunt to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana--thus, the reason for my absence on the web. (Here's a bit of trivia for you: Holiday World is the oldest theme park in the United States, opened in 1947.) But although I wasn't able to get a post up, I still had Mickey and my readers on my mind! Here's a day-late version of "Hidden Mickey Monday" that came straight from Holiday World. Enjoy!



 

Disney Exhibit Heads to Reagan Library

If you're reading this, it's pretty obvious that I'm a Disney fan. (Duh!) But you might not know that I'm also a huge Ronald Reagan fan--in fact, my eldest daughter is named after him. So I was super excited to read that "D23 Presents Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives" is headed to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library in Simi Valley, California. The largest ever exhibition of Disney archival material will open Friday and will run through April 2013. While some artifacts have been featured in other collections/exhibits, there are a number of items that have never before been presented to the public.

For more information, or to plan your visit, click here.

Friday Photo

Today's photo post is a little different--because it's not my photo and I didn't want to use it without permission. So...I'm going to link you to the Walt Disney World Facebook page, so that you can see it for yourself.  You gotta admire the originality! Totally wicked and totally awesome!

Free Fall Dining for General Public

I told in this post about the free dining discount for late fall, which was at that time only available to Disney Rewards Visa cardholders. Good news--now it's available to everyone. Same rules/blackouts/etc. apply as mentioned in the previous post. Happy dining!

Costumes for New Fantasyland Revealed

The Orlando Sentinel has a preview of Disney Cast Member costumes for the expansion area of Fantasyland--and I think they are just darling! You can view the story here, and be sure to click on the link for actual photos (my favorite photo is the second one!). I look forward to seeing CMs in more themed costumes in the Magic Kingdom. Aside from CMs who have performance roles and those in the World Showcase of Epcot, most of the current CM costumes seem more like uniforms to me. I'm ready to see more fun, themed costumes in the Parks!

Disney Fund Update

You may remember that just a few months before our WDW vacation last year, I created a Disney Fund Jar for our family. We had always been big on saving money, but this was the first time that we set aside money for our vacation with intentionality. The only funds we put in the jar are loose change (usually at the end of the week) and "found" money. Found money can include anything from gift cards we've received in promotions or as gifts, cash or gift cards earned for taking surveys, and literally found money. (A few months back, my husband found an envelope in our closet with $96 in cash--neither of us could remember what it might have been for, so we put it in the Disney Fund!) We do not trade savings for savings by siphoning in funds we've saved in other arenas, such as couponing or shopping clearance sales (although we do both those things!). We still "live cheap" in our every day lives and manage to save for Disney too!

I just counted up our fund and made a trip to the bank to trade in some rolled coins for paper money. Here is the grand total in cash and gift cards (which include Disney gift cards, gas cards, and generic cards that can be used as cash in most locations) as of our last trip in September 2011: $1062.09!

We seem to be saving around $100/month, so we'll likely end up with around $1200 before our trip in September. No, that isn't enough to pay for our entire vacation (although we have spent less than that on previous Disney vacations!). But it is enough to lessen the major hit that our credit cards would have otherwise taken in September. And all this saving is without really trying...it's money that we don't need or miss.

I share all this to let you know that an affordable Walt Disney World vacation is within your reach, with a little creative saving. Give up an expensive habit (like daily coffee at Starbucks, evening movies, or eating out) or take up one that helps you save (like couponing, switching to matinees, or eating at home more often), and you could multiply those savings over the course of a year.

What are your best ideas to increase your Disney Vacation Fund?

Upcoming Grand Floridian Closures

With construction of the Grand Floridian DVC well underway, we knew it was just a matter of time before a few things had to be closed temporarily. While they're at it, the GF decided to do some refurbishments at the same time. Here's a list of dining, pools, and shopping that will be affected over the coming months:

• The courtyard pool will close August 24 until sometime in December. They will be adding a zero entry feature. The beach pool will remain open for guests.


• Sandy Cove (shopping) will close from August 21 through December. But don't worry, there are numerous other shops throughout the GF.


• Narcoosee's is currently closed for a brief refurbishment and will reopen on July 22.


• Citricos will close just after Narcoosee's reopens, on July 23, and will reopen on August 5.


• The Beach Pool Bar is currently closed through August 24.


• Mizner's Lounge is also currently closed and will reopen July 14.


• Last, Gasparilla Grill will close on August 24 and reopen sometime in December.

I'm just glad my favorite eatery, the Garden View Tea Room, won't be closing!

Sneak Peek at Prince Eric's Castle

The Official Disney Parks Blog has a great shot of Prince Eric's Castle in the new Fantasyland expansion. It looks pretty amazing! You can check it out here.

DisneyStore.com Unveils "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" Collection

I am just loving the retro style of the new "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" collection on DisneyStore.com. Puts me in mind of the truly classic images of the Main Mouse himself. I'm particularly a fan of the Mouseketeers Mug and the Bowler Bag. If you haven't seen this new collection, check it out here.

Hidden Mickey Monday

I have been wearing this bathing suit all summer, and I just this week noticed the Hidden Mickey:



BTW, if you want to find all the great Hidden Mickeys in the Disney Parks, check out this book:

Free Fall Dining for Disney Rewards Visa Cardmembers

It's free fall dining time again! For now, it's just available to Disney Visa cardholders, but it will be released to the general public in just a few days. As always, availability is limited and there are minimum purchase requirements of a 3-night Resort stay (and a maximum of 14-day stay) and at least a 2-day Magic Your Way ticket per person. Those staying at a Value Resort will get the Quick Service Dining Plan (you can upgrade for the price difference), with Moderate and Deluxe stays earning the Disney Dining Plan. Here are the available dates:

• September 30 through October 4


• October 19 through November 1


• November 9-15


• November 23–29


• December 10–13

This offer must be booked by September 29, and all suites, campsites, and some villas seem to be excluded, as well as the new Art of Animation Resort.

AllergyEats.com Lists Best WDW Eateries for Guests with Food Allergies

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, as a mom of a child with food allergies. My daughter is careful to a fault--she absolutely will not eat a food of questionable origin. Because of this, we've never had to use the epi-pen we always carry. But my daughter has passed up more than a few treats in her days because she wasn't sure how they were prepared, so I'm always looking for resources to reassure her (and me) and allow her to expand her food horizons.

Enter AllergyEats.com. This website is a great resource for allergen information on restaurants around the country, which is a big help for parents like me. Even better, they have a section devoted entirely to Walt Disney World! It's so easy to use! Simply check the box of the allergen(s) you want to avoid, and the Park or area where you'd like to dine, and you will be provided with a list of restaurants and their "allergy-friendly" rating from guests, with specific menu notes and information. You can even add your own comments to assist future guests in their dining choices.

Unfortunately, many of the restaurants aren't yet rated. But hopefully when word gets out, more guests will add their experiences and ratings (I plan to!). Also, it's important to note that these are guest ratings, and are not meant to replace the due diligence of alerting your server at a particular restaurant of your allergy. Specific items at WDW restaurants are always changing, so it's always a good idea to ask about any menu item before ordering. And if you ever have specific questions about a food item, you can contact Disney directly at SpecialDiets@DisneyWorld.com or

 

Friday Photo

Wish I were there...

Thursday's Tip

This is a tip I'm sure I've shared before--but it's such a good one! Here it is (oh-so-basic!): buy it before you go. What is "it"? Anything and everything you think you might need: sunscreen, water bottles, snacks, even souvenirs. By waiting until you're in the airport or even on Disney property, you will pay a premium for basic items that you can find in your local discount store or online. Buying before you go leaves you with more cash for items that are uniquely-Disney and can only be purchased at the Parks.

That said, there are a number of Disney souvenir items that can be purchased outside of the Parks. Ironically, DisneyStore.com has a whole section of "Disney Parks Exclusive" merchandise (which always bothers me, since it's obviously NOT exclusive to the Parks if you can purchase it online...but whatever). In addition, cheaper licensed items can be found anywhere from your local Target to Dollar Tree stores. And, of course, there are hundreds of unique items to be found online. Here are a few of my favorite online finds from Amazon:

California Grill to Close for Refurbishment

Perennial favorite and hotspot for viewing Wishes, the California Grill (Contemporary Resort) will be closing on January 6, 2013 for a lengthy refurbishment. It is expected to re-open in late summer 2013. Changes will include updated interior decor of the restaurant, as well as a new menu.

New Cast Member Costumes Coming to Epcot

Cast Members around the World Showcase in Epcot will be getting new wardrobe very soon. Feedback from guests indicates that many see the WS as outdated--and Disney has decided that one easy way to update the scene is by changing the costuming, starting with the United States and Mexico, with other countries to follow in time. But not everyone is happy about it.

At least one cast member at the American Adventure has penned a strongly-worded editorial in opposition of the new costumes (which are something akin to flight attendant uniforms, apparently), and if comments to the post are any indication, a majority of the public agrees that the traditional colonial costume should remain.

While I believe that new, fresh costumes would be an excellent idea, I have to agree that the traditional colonial feel is what makes the American costumes stand out from the crowd. Much like the kimono-inspired costumes of Japan, or the fez hats worn by Moroccan CMs, or the Lederhosen seen on CMs in Germany, the American Adventure costumes are representative of an influential time in our country's history. They are meant to portray an image that is uniquely American. If all the costuming in the WS were to represent the current/modern clothing styles of each country, most of the costumes would be similar to others.  Nothing would stand out or be unique.

No specific dates have been given as to when new costumes will begin appearing, but expect Disney to ignore the public outcry and move ahead with their plans...as they typically do. But here's hoping they're not too far into the design process to consider maintaining some historical uniqueness in the World Showcase.

'Characters in Flight' Grounded...Permanently?

The Characters in Flight balloon has been grounded--or, rather, it has disappeared. The Downtown Disney attraction that took guests up in a tethered hot air balloon is closed until further notice, and the balloon itself has been removed. In fact, Disney has all but erased any sign of it from their website as well.

The likely prompt to this sudden closure is an accident that injured three people at a similar venue in Hong Kong at Ocean Park last week. The balloon involved in that incident was the same model from the same manufacturer, and the same company operated the attraction.

I never experienced Characters in Flight, but I did see it in action. While it looked fun and interesting, it didn't seem to be an especially popular attraction, and I never saw a crowd near it. The attraction will very likely be closed permanently and eventually replaced with the "next big thing."

Hidden Mickey Monday

Another Hidden Mickey spotted while shopping: