Pick-A-Pearl in Epcot

 

Looking for a fun and unique souvenir from your Walt Disney World trip? A really fun experience is the “Pick-A-Pearl” in Epcot. Head over to the Japan Pavilion in the World Showcase!

Japan Pavilion, World Showcase

Once you get to the beautiful Japan pavilion, check out the Mitsukoshi Store. You will see thousands of souvenirs to choose from that are all from Japan, and the store is pretty big compared to some other World Showcase stores! In this store, you can buy tons of food and candy from Japan, anime items, household items, jewelry and pretty much anything you can think of. The store is on the first floor, if you are looking for anything delicious to eat afterwards, make sure to check out Teppan Edo upstairs! It is a delicious Teppan-yaki restaurant.

Mitsukoshi Store, Japan Pavilion

Everyone goes home with a Disney souvenir of some sort. But why not get a fun experience with your souvenir? I was so excited to participate in the “Pick-A-Pearl” fun in the store. In the corner in the store, you will notice a shallow tank full of salt water that is full of oysters. You then let the Cast Member know that you are looking to pick out your pearl, then you pay for the pearl (I paid about $17 USD a couple of years ago), and then you get to make your selection (if its busy you’ll be given a number to wait for your turn).

When its time for you to pick your pearl out, the tank will be full of oysters, of all different appearances and sizes, and you can pick whichever one you want! The Cast Members here are incredible, they are so enthusiastic and make such a huge deal over this ceremony with you. A lot of people passing by will probably start and look, as the Cast Members will initiate cheering, clapping, and a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs”.

The Cast Member will open the oyster and show you your pearl, before I even knew what color of pearl I got, the Cast Member had me so excited because she makes such a huge deal about this, no matter what type or color of pearl you get.

Oyster Selection

When the Cast Member cuts open your oyster, they will teach you how to count to three in Japanese, and you will need to count with them to open your pearl!  They will reveal your pearl to you, and measure its size, and examine it. If, on the off chance you had your oyster opened and it was empty, you are able to pick another oyster. Sometimes, you might even be super lucky and get two pearls (at no extra charge)!

I ended up getting a silver pearl, and it was really pretty and shiny!

Opening the oyster, Pick-A-Pearl

Once your pearl is revealed to you, you can either leave with your pearl just as is, or purchase a setting. You can get it made into necklaces, rings, earrings (requires two pearls). I had mine made into a ring, I didn’t choose and expensive setting so it was only about $40.00, but prices can vary from low to high depending on what type of setting you are looking for.

Once I purchased my setting, they gave me a paper with my pearl details to come back later that day to collect my jewelry. It took a few hours for them to have the pearl set, but when I came back to the store later that day, I had a wonderful new pearl ring and a really fun memory as to how I got the ring.

This was a really fun experience at Epcot, but if you happen to be in Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon and Beach Club you can also enjoy this souvenir experience!

Have any of you ever enjoyed the “Pick-A-Pearl” experience in any of these locations? Let me know how you liked it!

Japan Pavilion, Epcot

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