Pick-A-Pearl - Japan

[allie_to_you]

Quite a few years ago, my sister and I did the pick-a-pearl in Downtown Disney. It was kinda disappointing as you just paid and got a pre-packaged oyster with a pearl, but at that time, we already had cage necklaces we were using to put our pearls in.

When I go in January, I am wanting to try the pick-a-pearl in Japan. Who's done it and how is it different than Downtown Disney? I've heard you can have jewelry made on-site with your pearl. Is it very expensive for something simple to be made?

 

[OHDisneyMom]

I haven't tried the pick-a-pearl in Downtown Disney, but the ladies at the pick-a-pearl in Japan made it really fun. I got a large silver colored pearl. I don't remember the jewelry prices but they were more than I wanted to pay. I bought a cage online.

 

[cfriend416]

Like the PP, I haven't done it in DTD, but I've done it 3 times in Epcot. So much fun and so special each time. I definitely recommend it. I had my first pearl mounted on a little silver loop so I could hang it on a silver chain I had. I wear it every single day! I wish I remember how much it cost. It wasn't too bad, maybe $12 or so? But that just includes the loop, not the chain. The other times I did it, I put the pearls in Mickey cages that I bought for very cheap on Etsy.

 

[Mikie]

I've only done it in Japan and it was really cute - the ladies make quite a production out of opening your oyster, measuring the pearl and presenting it to you. You can choose from quite a few settings and I think the lowest price thing I saw was around $30 for a necklace. Earrings might have been a bit less, but you either have to get lucky and get twin pearls or do the pearl part twice, shooting the price back up.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

I did it in the pavillion when i was there in november and it was 17 for the pearl i got a gold colored one and if your pearl is small in size it can go in 9.50 charms, but if it isnt the charms are more expensive mine cost 29.50 for a dolphin, I didnt look at cage prices but it was fun and if you have them seat it they give you a return time where you come back to get it with no wait.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

My DD13 has done this in the Japan Pavilion twice. Last August when she went it was about $60 for the pearl / cage /necklace. Totally worth the money. She wears it often. A fun experience.

 

[cajmom]

My son did it in Epcot. They do a little song, dance and made it fun for him. He ended up with twins and was super excited because they made a big deal over it. Since he is a boy, he just picked a little bottle to keep them in so I don't know about the jewelry part.

 

[ruthies12]

I have not done DTD but did the Japan one last January. I had my two daughters with me so I bought 3 oysters, I chose one and my 5 year old dd picked one for her and one for her 10 month old sister.

We ended up with 3 pearls all the same size, but DD5 got a white one, mine is gold and baby DD ended up with a silver one. We had them set in matching settings. I don't know the price I'm afraid, my mom was with us and paid for them. They are beautiful! The ladies made it very fun and dd really enjoyed it.

just an fyi we chose settings that involved them glueing the pearl on so we had to wait an hour and come back for them, then leave them in their bags for 24 hours before wearing them

 

[ruthies12]

 

[kaymil]

Does anyone know if they have Mickey head pearl cages at the place in Japan? I've only found one online and I'm not a huge fan of it, but would really like a simple Mickey one!

 

[MyOtherSS]

Like some have said it is really entertaining to just watch the pick a pearl in Japan. The girls are really enthusiastic which make it hard not to just watch even if you aren't going to pick one. SUN-KNEE-ITCHY!!!

 

[cfriend416]

Does anyone know if they have Mickey head pearl cages at the place in Japan? I've only found one online and I'm not a huge fan of it, but would really like a simple Mickey one!

I don't know where you've looked but I got the one I have on Etsy and I really like it. Just search "pearl cage," there are so many!

Like some have said it is really entertaining to just watch the pick a pearl in Japan. The girls are really enthusiastic which make it hard not to just watch even if you aren't going to pick one. SUN-KNEE-ITCHY!!!

Anyone who plans on "just watching" - leave room for the people who have actually paid! Without fail, I have had to push my way through watchers who refuse to move so I could pick my oyster.

 

[kaymil]

I don't know where you've looked but I got the one I have on Etsy and I really like it. Just search "pearl cage," there are so many!

The only Mickey one I've found on Etsy is this one: https://www.etsy.com/listing/121575389/pick-a-pearl-cage-silver-mickey-head

I'm not lovin' the slightly creepy looking face in the middle, but maybe the picture isn't doing it justice. Is this the one you have?

 

[ses1230]

Here are some of the jewelry options:

 

[cfriend416]

The only Mickey one I've found on Etsy is this one: https://www.etsy.com/listing/121575389/pick-a-pearl-cage-silver-mickey-head

I'm not lovin' the slightly creepy looking face in the middle, but maybe the picture isn't doing it justice. Is this the one you have?

It is the one I have. I guess it does look like a creepy face, huh? I think it's just supposed to be decorative spirals.

 

[1stvisit0909]

Quite a few years ago, my sister and I did the pick-a-pearl in Downtown Disney. It was kinda disappointing as you just paid and got a pre-packaged oyster with a pearl, but at that time, we already had cage necklaces we were using to put our pearls in. When I go in January, I am wanting to try the pick-a-pearl in Japan. Who's done it and how is it different than Downtown Disney? I've heard you can have jewelry made on-site with your pearl. Is it very expensive for something simple to be made?

We did the pick a pearl in DTD in 2012. Picked an oyster and got the pearl out of it. They did a little story and then tapped it three times.

 

[allie_to_you]

Here are some of the jewelry options:

Thank you! Soooo helpful! Do they put the pearl you picked in these settings or are they already pre-made with pearls in them?

 

[Bektasmic]

Trying to make final decision on if we will do this in Feb with our five year-old. Is it possibly disturbing watching the peal cut out? Disturbing due to gross/slimy or killing a living creature? I personally don't have qualms, but want to make sure it's actually going to be enjoyable for my sometimes squeamish, animal-loving little girl.

 

[1Grumpy9]

I have done it 5 different times and have seen many different ages watching the "show" of revealing your pearl. It is quite a spectacle and the girls there make the "show". Each time I have done it, it has been different and a great experience.

I have also done it at DTD...I liked it, but it wasn't the same atmosphere as in Japan.

This past trip I decided to do it two different times and I got 2 oysters each time. I knew I wanted to get a pair of earrings to match my necklace from last Christmas. I then got another two and got the other 2 set setting. I usually wear it every day. I got the chain when I was home instead of buying one there.

Each oyster is $17.00 and then the settings can range from $17 - $90 (and higher if it is gold). My total 2 setting piece was around $68.

When I did the one at DTD. I only got one pearl and the setting cost me around $150 and it is just a gold crown.

The next trip I know I will be doing it again and probably multiple times.

 

[StormyBristol]

I've done it twice at DW at Epcot, and once in DD in DL. In DD, granted, it was no way near the pomp and circumstance, but as I was alone at the time (and an adult ) I didn't care.

I ended up buying a cage at DD in DL. In DW, they were way too expensive for what I wanted, but more reasonable in DL.

I don't remember anything gross, disturbing, etc. They are pretty quick and slick in their handling of the oyster and pearl. We had ds do it when he was in first grade (so around aged 6) and he was not disturbed by it in the least.

Have fun! Remember to pick out the smallest and hairy-est oyster you can find! I remember that from here many years ago (2010!)