Say It Isn't So! No More Miyuki

[HookdonWDW]

How sad. I just read that Miyuki won't be making her fabulous candy creations in Japan anymore. Some of our fondest memories are of watching her work. She was always so friendly, and would remember our kids from visit to visit. Glad that we had the chance to "know" her, and that our kids were lucky enough to be gifted with some of her creations.

 

[alisatj]

We were there Monday and noticed that she wasn't on the schedule. We made sure to go to her shows in previous years and we, too, had been lucky enough to get some of her creations. Did she retire?

 

[katallo]

That is so sad. We loved watching her.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I couldn't find anything that stated why she wouldn't be performing anymore. Just that her last show was November 24th. I knew she wasn't there when we were there over New Year's, but I thought it was just because of the holidays...

 

[elaine amj]

What a pity. It was a wonderful treat (pun intended) watching her perform!

 

[vicki_c]

It was announced in the fall. She said she might open a candy store. She has a website, candymiyuki.com.

 

[dsneygirl]

I don't know if she is the same lady but I remember a candy maker from the late 80s when *I* was a kid. That is a shame after more than 20 years.

 

[BC1836]

Miyuki was a creative marvel whose extraordinary skills were only topped by her personality. The key aspect of her awesome art was the speed and ease of her work. An amazing individual, and a great loss to those who enjoyed her creations. How we will miss hearing her say, "candy for you!"

 

[disneybliss2]

Miyuki was always the highlight of our Epcot trips. We always looked forward to watching her perform, because to us it was a true art. My girls absolutely loved her and eagerly looked forward to seeing her on our trips. They'll be so sad and disappointed when I tell them. I know I am!!!

 

[meliss8599]

Add us to the list of those super disappointed Miyuki is no longer performing. She was a definite highlight of our Epcot visits. DD got picked to choose a creation to make almost every show and always took pictures with Miyuki and her creations at the end of the show. What a shame. She allowed such a neat peek into the Japanese candy-making culture. She'll be sorely missed.

After many shows, we were able to understand her through her accent. All except something that sounded like, "Candy 'cama mera'. Candy for you for free!" (The free part was before she was no longer allowed to give it away.) We could never figure the 'cama mera' or 'cada mera' part out. It was like a rolling "r" sound in cama/cada mera. Can anyone solve the mystery for us?!

 

[dsnymomof4]

After many shows, we were able to understand her through her accent. All except something that sounded like, "Candy 'cama mera'. Candy for you for free!" (The free part was before she was no longer allowed to give it away.) We could never figure the 'cama mera' or 'cada mera' part out. It was like a rolling "r" sound in cama/cada mera. Can anyone solve the mystery for us?!

I always thought she was saying "caramella" like caramel. We loved her as well and would always look for her shows. We will really miss her!

 

[HookdonWDW]

I always thought she was saying "caramella" like caramel. We loved her as well and would always look for her shows. We will really miss her!

I think that caramel could be correct. Sugar goes through the caramel stage before it reaches the taffy and then the hard candy stage, so she may have been commenting on the fact that the candy pulls like caramel... (sorry, apparently I've taught the science of candy one time too many, lol)

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm so glad DD and I spent some time watching here last October; I just told DD, she said in her impersonation of Miyuki "Zebra, zebra!"

 

[sonofanarchy]

Very curious if she retired or was let go.

 

[CaptHomer]

Very curious if she retired or was let go.

They way Disney is cutting things it wouldn't surprise me but I would think that she probably retired since she has been there so long.

She was great! I always looked forward to seeing her there. One of my kids even got to keep one of her creations back before the whiny parents got that taken away.

 

[tmfranlk]

Very curious if she retired or was let go.

I believe she retired primarily at least. Unread an interview around the departure announcement where she said she lost some of the joy of it when she couldn't give out the candies anymore.

 

[Retro Magic]

Shame I never had the chance to see her after all these years. However, while I do not know the details of her full show in its final days, maybe Disney felt it was unneeded cost to now have someone designing candy. No one could ever have/purchase/eat the candy after complaints and health concerns(from what I have read). Probably made sense for them to cost cut this.

Hopefully though, while it might not be 1 for 1 for everything they take away, they do bring in new entertainment. Which also helps with crowds.

 

[goofy4tink]

I highly doubt there were ever any 'health concerns'. Yes, that was the official word, but in all reality, it would be really hard for there to be any germs on those creations.....her hands were always clean, and that candy was incredibly hot, so germfree.

What was the issue? The people that continually complained that they, or their children, didn't get a free creation! There was so much pushing and shoving, it was crazy! I stood there one time, having just missed one show, and watched as a family shoved their stroller up against the ropes. Then they went off, leaving one older child sitting in the stroller, and did their thing! They returned a few minutes prior to the start of the show...shoving people around, saying that they had to get to their child in the stroller. That 'child' was about 14!! Seriously! A teenager. And that family was the loudest and most obnoxious at the show. At one point they actually yelled out that they had been waiting the longest and should get creations for their children...all four of them! Miyuki calmly ignored them and went to other, more polite people. They got nothing, but I did overhear them saying to each other that they were going to GS to complain.
I thanked Miyuki for her wonderful show and asked her how she decides who to select. Her response? 'Oh, I watch...very carefully...before coming out. I know who should not get candy.' Interesting.

My dd ended up getting two creations over the years. She was then told she wasn't allowed to get another one. When Miyuki asked her what she would like, a third time, dd told her that she had two already and to let someone else have a chance. It was actually fun to just watch her work.

I know she was a little sad about leaving Epcot but was looking forward to her future. But she will be greatly missed at Epcot.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I'm going to follow her website, and see if she sets up something else in the Orlando area. It would definitely be worth a trip offsite to see her.

 

[dixiegirl]

If I had to guess I would say she retired. DH and I had a nice conversation with year about 2 years ago. She had mentioned the thought of retirement in the next few years. She also did say that she really missed giving away the candy at her shows. We will miss seeing her. What a sweet lady!