Picking a pearl from Japan(Epcot)????

[jwsqrdplus2]

We do this on every trip with our girls!

DD1 (7) had a 7mm pink pearl in a necklace and a set of 6.5mm champagne twins as earrings. She doesn't have peirced ears yet, but when she got the twins, we couldn't resist setting them as earrings.

DD2 (4) has an 8mm champagne pearl set in a ring. It is way too big for her now (we set it in a 6.5 since that is my ring size). But we will hold it until she gets older.

BTW, DDs got the twins and the 8mm pearl on the same trip, so not only did they ring the bell, but they made all three into a Mickey head on the salt to show off. We have a pic, but I am not computer savvy enough to post!

 

[Showe]

My dd5, my mother, and I all did this in January. It was really fun! My dd got the biggest pearl at 7.5 mm and hers had a pinkish tint to it. Mine was 7.25 mm and white, Mom's was 6.75 and "champagne gold." We all had them made into necklaces with matching mounts. I believe it was around $52 for the mounting, settings, for two of them that I paid for.

I had heard of this before we went, and really wanted the three of us to get matching pearl necklaces to commemorate our first trip to WDW. Plus, we were celebrating Mom's and dd's January birthdays, and my completion of grad school, so we really wanted a "nice" souvenir.

BTW, rumor has it that the best pearls are in the ugliest shells. Though they all looked fairly ugly to me!

did you get yours in epcot or did you go to DTD ? DD and I are going to WDW with my mother and this would be a fun thing to do together.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This is a tradition for us during every Disney trip we take. We have gone to both the place in Japan and DTD. I prefer Japan's as the pearls are of a higher quality than the little stand at DTD. On our latest trip, my boyfriend got me pink twins which I had put into earrings and then another LARGE blue-silver for a ring. It is always an exciting event and we will continue to do it with our children.

 

[N&B'smom]

I had totally forgotten about this on our last trip. Of course, my daughter was only 13 months at the time. But on our next trip (Sept) she will be 3 and I can't wait to do this with her!!! I'm writing myself a note in my Passporter so I remember to do this!!!

What exactly do you do? Just select a shell and they open it for you?

Shelby

 

[dbarker]

They have a shallow aquarium w/ oyters in it. After you pay, you pick your oyster. They open the oyter, pull out the pearl and make a big deal about the size as they measure it. They measure it w/ a device w/ different size holes. They start w/ a very small hole and then work their way up to the size of the pearl. I only watched, but it was very fun to just watch.

 

[bunnysmum]

This thread has got me thinking...I've been making bracelets lately, and on our last trip to WDW, I bought several charms that I wanted to make a bracelet with. Maybe next trip I take, I'll get a pearl or two from Japan to add to the bracelet. They'd have to drill it for me though. Any charge for that alone, does anyone know?

 

[Piecey]

Where in Japan is this anyway?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I had no idea about this, I can't wait. I will definately pick a pearl, my birthdate is in June and pearl is my birthstone---perfect for me!!! Thanks Everyone

My birthdate is in June too! I informed DH today that that is what he's getting me for our anniversary trip in May. I'm not sure whether that's pushy ("Here's what you're buying me) or helpful, but it sounds reasonabley priced.

 

[BelleChick]

Okay...these might be dumb questions, but I still have to ask.
1.Is there any chance that you could pick an oyster, and end up without a pearl?
2.Are the Oysters in the aquarium dead or alive?

 

[kmebee]

I had decided before my last trip that I was going to pick a pearl. Mine was 7.5mm, champagne colored. My sister then decided that her and my niece should get one also. They each picked an oyster and my sister's oyster had blue twins in it. They said this color was rare and then to have twins on top of it. She had them set in a kind of wishbone shaped necklace. Mine hangs from a gold filigree looking thing (for lack of a better word). And I don't remember what my niece's looks like. They were all about 6.5-7.5mm. It really was fun to watch and experience.

 

[tinkerbell87512]

i have a lot of little traditions that i do at disney but this by far is my favorite. i always pick a pearl from japan. and ive never really done anything with them (this is kind of a new tradition ive only done it twice.) but i carry them around in my wallet as my lucky pearls. ive gotten 2 white pearls one 6.5 and the other a 7 mm. im hoping this year i get the golden color. hmm also all the times ive been there ive never seen anyone get twins. but after reading this board it looks pretty common...is it?


also where in dtd is the pearl station? ill get one there too!thanks!!!

 

[bethbuchall]

My dd picked a pearl last time we were in Epcot. It was fun, though she didn't get anything "special." She was using her own money and didn't have it mounted. I think that I will buy her one and have it mounted on our next trip. Maybe I'll even get one for myself.

Beth

 

[mydisneykids]

This is one of my 8year old DD favorite things to do, My DS even got one last time we went. We did not have them mounted, we wanted to get that done at home. The thing I liked was that there was no pressure to get it mounted. The pearl place by the BC gave my 12yo DD a hard time about not getting it mounted, she felt very uncomfortable.
Both of my DD got Kimonos a few years ago. That was their big gift for the trip. They loved them and they were a very good quality. They commented that every time they wear them they think of Disney.

 

[marcij]

This is one of my 8year old DD favorite things to do, My DS even got one last time we went.

Both of my boys picked oysters for the pearls last trip. They were 6 and 9 at the time. They love science and studying about the ocean, and thought it was cool that something that ugly produced a pearl. They took them to school for show and tell.

 

[ellyn2000]

This is a most important part of our trip! Last year I got "twins" that I had made into earrings. One year my aunt got a beautiful black pearl. DD, DDIL and I look forward to this each trip. I highly recommend it.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

They each picked an oyster and my sister's oyster had blue twins in it. They said this color was rare and then to have twins on top of it.

Wow, that is so cool! I would love to get a black, grey or blue one on a try!!! Maybe this year will be my lucky year!!!

 

[DiznEeyore]

DiznEeyore,

How much do the kimonos cost?

If I recall correctly, mine was $70 or $75. It's full-length with a belt-tie.

Dh's robe from China was $90.

HTH!

 

[jacksmom]

Any tips on picking an oyster with a "pink" pearl??

 

[Syrreal]

This is a tradition with Dh and I. He will ask me if I want a pearl. I say no. He makes a lame excuse to disappear for a few minutes and comes back with one. It's our shtick. The first one we did was at Sea World and it was a black pearl. The last one (last May) was at WDW and it was a blue one.

 

[Disneyholic]

Where in Japan is this anyway?

In the store under the restaurants.

Pick-a-pearls are also available at DTD, Beach Club on the boardwalk and at Typhoon Lagoon water park.

My sons theory is that good things come in small packages, so he always goes for the smallest shell he can find. He's gotten twins, large pearls and also picked out one, for a girl we met at dinner at the Teppanyaki, that had a fairly large black pearl in it. I've used his method with varying degrees of success. He seems to do a better job than me. LOL