Mitsukoshi Department Store

[MandyBear0182]

Alright, guys... I'm working on my December 2003 trip itinerary! (Already!) Need some information!

Okay, I adore Japanese culture, dining, shopping, etc. This trip, I plan on spending more time than usual in the Japan area of Epcot. Now, I know there is a Japanese Department store there. Of course I've never paid attention to it until I started planning this trip. So now I'm wondering about how much time I might spend shopping at the Mitsukoshi Department Store, so I need you guys to tell me everything you know/remember about this store -- merchandise for sale, prices, displays, anything you have to share about it. Also, if you have any pictures of it that would be great also! Thanks guys!

 

[pouncingpluto]

Oooh.. that store is great. I bought a really cute purse there. The store isn't the size of a normal department store, but it's pretty big for a theme park store.

There's a good variety of stuff... purses, kimonos, cosmetics, dishes, a few food products, sections for Hello Kitty and Pokemon, books, home decor. It's definitely a fun store.

I don't think prices are too huge. It's not bargain shopping, but it's not outrageous.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Sadly, they're in the process of making it smaller and they've added a lot of childrens toys as well. I don't usually shop for toys as souvenirs so a lot of the things didn't interest me.
They used to have a wonderful book area but that seems to have been removed too.

Still, the store is still on my favorite list with the scent of incense and japanese tunes from the speakers.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I think they also had a section where you could pick a pearl out of an oyster ... kind of cute

 

[DVC Nut]

I may be wrong, but I do not believe they are making it smaller. I have been in the store several times in the past few months and they have been refurbishing it one half at a time. They started with the front half closest to the WS walkway and now they are doing the back half. They have the coolest clocks in there and I have also done the pearl from the oyster thing. Very cool! Nice place to buy non disney merchandise and souveniers to take home. ( I actually use it a lot for gifts for friends and family).

 

[followme2disney]

It is my opinion that it is one of the most reasonably priced stores in allof WDW.

 

[Chuck S]

And those clocks are actually cheaper there than any other place I've found them - and they have a better selection

 

[4forDis]

I was there on Wed. and we picked two oysters for pearls. They are $12.95 each, which I think is pretty reasonable. We ended up with two beauties! One was 7.25 mm and the other was over 8mm. Pretty good sizes for 13 bucks.

Enjoy!

 

[Terry S]

My son picked up a few Dragon Ball Z toys and a DBZ T-Shirt, the toys were the same price as our Toys R Us here!

 

[MandyBear0182]

Do they still have a good selection even tho they are making it smaller??? I was looking so forward to shopping there! I hope it is still has the same 'magic' that I remember.

Oh by the way... Thanks so much for all the info so far! I didn't know they had Hello Kitty merchandise!!!!!!!! I have collected Hello Kitty since I was around 5 years old!! I hope they still have HK stuff when I get there!

I think I'm going to add the pearl thing to my itinerary... I've had several people tell me that it was alot of fun.

I'm also thinking they had some Japanese snack foods there before... Is this right? Do they still sell any?

Also going to get DBZ stuff for my brother. Now I can check that off my list.

Thanks guys!!!

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Oh it would be great if they were just renovating and not making the store smaller.
I do the majority of my souvenir shopping there, from buying food products (mmmmmm ginger dressing) to kimonos and slippers for my grand daughter!
And ohhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh those clocks were spectacular!

You'll have no problem at all finding magic there's plenty still there!

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

This used to be my favorite store at Epcot until my last visit - the first week in March. A worker told me that they took a lot of merchandise out because of the renovation. I got the impression that they would put the stuff back when the renovation was complete. When I walked in, I could swear that I was in a toy store. If you like Hello Kitty, you're in the right place. They had a lot of Pokemon & also those new kinds of cards (I won't even begin to spell them). My nephew buys them at Walmart. As I walked through the store, I did see some of the nice Japanese things that they always had. We used to spend close to an hour at that store when it was full-sized. Now we went through it a lot faster. We did pick a pearl. A little boy picked a black pearl when we were there. Everyone was so excited!

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by MandyBear0182

I'm also thinking they had some Japanese snack foods there before... Is this right? Do they still sell any?

This was the first place I went when I came home from my TDL contract. CC Lemon and Pocky! Yummy!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I saw they had Pocky, wasabi peas and jelly candies ... I thought they were expensive, but then again it's in Disney and I live near a couple of Asian supermarkets ... so I've already got a good idea how much they cost.

 

[MandyBear0182]

Strawberry is the best! How much is it at Disney World? I have a few Asian markets close to me as well. I shop at them all the time... I think Japanese snack foods are the greatest!!

I'm so excited about all the new information I've gotten from you guys!! Thanks!!

 

[lilsonicfan]

As far as I recall - which isn't far... small boxes of Pocky were like $3 or $4 US.... the same boxes that you can get for under $2 CAD at the Chinese/Japanese markets near my house. It's much more economical to buy Pocky outside of WDW - and it's not like the box says WDW. Souvenirs I could agree with.

You should get the pin that is shaped like Mickey's head symbolizing the Japanese flag. it's great!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

This is probably my favorite store in Epcot.. and last year they had a markdown section where I got some incredible buys...beautiful flower wrapping paper, fabric boxes, and pocketbooks...little gift boxes made out of fabric.. This mark down was the week before Christmas.. They have wonderful stationary, incense, fragrances, Japanese dolls, Hello Kitty and wonderful food area, and the pearl in the oyster thingy...when we started going there it was $9... now I am not sure what it is up to..

Love this store and horrified they are making it smaller.. Yikes.

 

[followme2disney]

When I was there last time they had something like a sidewalk sale going on. I did not get the impression that they were making the store smaller just thet they were refurbing and getting rid of the old merchandise to bring in the new. I have no facts, of course, but it is such a popular store I can not imagine them making it smaller.

 

[pnelson]

Does anyone know if the remodel will include a Sake tasting area? I had heard a rumor to that effect.

 

[Micca]

When twin dd's were small they did the oyster/pearl thing and absolutely loved it. They were so excited(and they got some good size pearls).

I used to like to look at the Disney stuff(mostly watches) that were made for the Japanese market. I don't think they carry that any longer.