All Disney All The Time
Well-Known Member
Good luck! I hope that you and your daughter score exactly the pearls that will make your day and trip a superspecial one.
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Pick-A-Pearl in Japan Pavilion
- Thread starter UPbeekeeper
- Start date
Allygator
Well-Known Member
My daughter got one there on our last trip. Of course they bring out all the expensive jewelry to try and get you to buy it.
Stu bailey
Well-Known Member
I don't know anything about "picking a pearl", but picking my third sake in the same building is always interesting.
disneypearl
Well-Known Member
The Pick a Pearl station in Japan's pavilion is great. They give you lots of attention and really create a show to make your experience so memorable. Japan's Pick a Pearl station is owned by a different company than the ones at Beach Club and DTD. You will get more for your money when you go there, the settings are cheaper and I think they have more of a variety.
journ116
Well-Known Member
Every time we go to WDW, I drag my DH and DD's into the Japan pavilion specifically to pick an oyster...beware though: it can be addicting! It's fun, partly due to the suspense and unknown variables. If you were to ask my DH, "Is it worth it?," he'd promptly say, "No." However, the pearls are not for him, they're for me and our DD's 
. Here's how it works:
1. Go to the register near the oyster bar and tell the CM that you'd like to buy "x" number of pearls. Last time I was there (Nov. 2012), it was $17 per oyster.
2. After paying, you'll get your receipt, a plastic number and "their" receipt. Then stake out your oyster.
DSC_0704 by journ116, on Flickr
(this is my oldest DD picking out her oyster)
3. Wait for your number to be called (seriously, it's not that long of time...although there may be a crowd around the oysters, the majority of people are just there to watch), and once it is, step up to the center of the bar and turn in your number and receipt. The CM will then ask you which oyster(s) you would like.
4. You'll be asked to go back to the center of the bar, and here's where the ceremony begins.
DSC_0707 by journ116, on Flickr
(counting down in Japanese)
DSC_0705 by journ116, on Flickr
(a pearl!)
5. After the oyster has been open, the CM will clean it, measure it, display it, and then bag it with the corresponding measurement and that day's date.
Of course the CM will inform you that they have settings available and can be done right there in "x" amount of time, but I've found the settings to be cheaply made and overpriced. The first time I picked a pearl, I got it made into a ring, and the ring quickly tarnished. Over the years, we've collected 20 pearls, all shapes, colors, and sizes (during our most recent trip, my youngest DD was lucky enough to get twins...but I lost them somewhere between the park and our resort). I am saving the pearls and will eventually get them made into some type of jewelry for our DD's.
We don't buy our pearls from anywhere else, specifically due to the pomp-and-circumstance and atmosphere at the Japan pavilion! Happy oyster picking!
. Here's how it works:1. Go to the register near the oyster bar and tell the CM that you'd like to buy "x" number of pearls. Last time I was there (Nov. 2012), it was $17 per oyster.
2. After paying, you'll get your receipt, a plastic number and "their" receipt. Then stake out your oyster.
DSC_0704 by journ116, on Flickr
(this is my oldest DD picking out her oyster)
3. Wait for your number to be called (seriously, it's not that long of time...although there may be a crowd around the oysters, the majority of people are just there to watch), and once it is, step up to the center of the bar and turn in your number and receipt. The CM will then ask you which oyster(s) you would like.
4. You'll be asked to go back to the center of the bar, and here's where the ceremony begins.
DSC_0707 by journ116, on Flickr
(counting down in Japanese)
DSC_0705 by journ116, on Flickr
(a pearl!)
5. After the oyster has been open, the CM will clean it, measure it, display it, and then bag it with the corresponding measurement and that day's date.
Of course the CM will inform you that they have settings available and can be done right there in "x" amount of time, but I've found the settings to be cheaply made and overpriced. The first time I picked a pearl, I got it made into a ring, and the ring quickly tarnished. Over the years, we've collected 20 pearls, all shapes, colors, and sizes (during our most recent trip, my youngest DD was lucky enough to get twins...but I lost them somewhere between the park and our resort
). I am saving the pearls and will eventually get them made into some type of jewelry for our DD's.We don't buy our pearls from anywhere else, specifically due to the pomp-and-circumstance and atmosphere at the Japan pavilion! Happy oyster picking!
Susan Savia
Well-Known Member
One of the pearls I chose had a red streak on the shell and it turned out to be a blue pearl inside...
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
I have 2 or 3 pearls picked during past trips. They're still bagged in the hubby's nightstand. Kinda wish I'd done more if them. Would be neat to have a string of different random colors & sizes.
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
Wow, I didn't know this existed. I bet my Mom would LOVE to do this... totally going to when we go in May!
Thanks everyone for the tips and heads up!
Thanks everyone for the tips and heads up!
jayhawkmickey
Well-Known Member
My wife gets a pearl each time we go and we've done both the showcase and DTD. The Japan pavilion has way more ceremony and style and I think she got a nicer pearl, but it does have a longer line, we waited maybe 10 minutes so not to bad. She usually gets hers mounted on just a simple loop and uses a silver chain from a shop at home. She did use the advice to pick the "dirty, nasty looking" oyster and she got quite a big pearl (8.5mm I think). Still not worth what we paid, after all it's a souvenir, but it's fun and she likes it so it is worth it to me.
DaddyDisneyMan
Well-Known Member
That's a darn tooting good point. I'M HUNGRY!
MissM
Well-Known Member
The first time I did it I got a very large 8mm pearl and had it set in a cherry blossom pendant.
As you can see, the bag lists the date and size. They have the little baggies prepared in advance and they just grab the appropriate size.
It's a lot of fun. I've gotten many pearls over the years. I set another two in a simple loop style pendant (don't have a pic of it on hand) and more that I didn't set. I've tried for the ugly oysters and the hidden ones and it just doesn't seem to be any real trick. The one I found wedged and mostly hidden resulted in one of my smallest pearls ever so there went that idea!
I'm still looking for the elusive grey pearl and I've never gotten a twin. Mine have all ranged from 6 3/4 mm - 8mm with the average of about 7 1/4mm.
If it's VERY busy and there's a big line, they really rush through the little ceremony. So try to keep an eye out for a less crowded time.
As you can see, the bag lists the date and size. They have the little baggies prepared in advance and they just grab the appropriate size.
It's a lot of fun. I've gotten many pearls over the years. I set another two in a simple loop style pendant (don't have a pic of it on hand) and more that I didn't set. I've tried for the ugly oysters and the hidden ones and it just doesn't seem to be any real trick. The one I found wedged and mostly hidden resulted in one of my smallest pearls ever so there went that idea!
I'm still looking for the elusive grey pearl and I've never gotten a twin. Mine have all ranged from 6 3/4 mm - 8mm with the average of about 7 1/4mm.
If it's VERY busy and there's a big line, they really rush through the little ceremony. So try to keep an eye out for a less crowded time.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
Can someone tell me exactly where it is in the Japan pavillion? We always say we're going to do this and then get side tracked. Last trip we got so close, were in Japan and were doing a little bit of shopping...next thing ya know, everyone is distracted over other things outside and it never happened. I've never seen the pick a pearl area, so I want to just make sure we can make a b-line for it and bypass all distractions.
rsoxguy
Well-Known Member
The large two-story building on the right side of "Japan". It is a very large indoor shopping area on the first floor.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Sounds like we were pretty close last time we were there. We got caught up in the Hello Kitty and Monchichi business in there. Thanks again!
littleroo
Well-Known Member
I pick two a trip and have many of all different varieties. Someday I will do something with all of them...
When you want decide to pick one, go to the register first and then they will call your number. I have seen a lot of people wait a while only to be told to go get a receipt first.
When you want decide to pick one, go to the register first and then they will call your number. I have seen a lot of people wait a while only to be told to go get a receipt first.
Allygator
Well-Known Member
I'm going to definitely check this one out! I thought he one outside of beach club was a little pushy.
JillC LI
Well-Known Member
I was wondering that myself!
We did this for the first time in December, and it was a lot of fun. The pearl cost $17. I told DD to choose the smallest, ugliest oyster she could find, and we wound up with a white 7mm pearl. Afterwards, I bought the least expensive necklace setting they had which was a simple but pretty gold loop. When I got home, I put the loop on a gold chain, and it made a very simple but pretty necklace which I wear often because it reminds me of our Disney trip. I highly recommend this activity.