EPCOT's Japan Pavilion - Pick A Pearl review - Highly recommended!

[TSR6]

My wife & I have spent a lot of time at EPCOT. We’ve been down for Food & Wine multiple times, and generally stay at Boardwalk due to the walking distance from our favorite park. We had never actually stopped in Japan long enough to do the “Pick A Pearl” inside the main shop though. Luckily for her, this trip we had the right amount of spare time (…and likely the right amount of “adult beverages”…….) that I encouraged her to give the Pick A Pearl a try. It wasn’t too busy – so we did!

The total cost for this ends up being $17 with tax, and it gives you some solid entertainment along with your own pearl to take home! The Cast Members in Japan were wonderful, and made the entire experience a lot of fun!

My wife ended up picking a golden 7 & ¼ pearl – and while she was at a convention, I went back and picked an oyster that had TWIN 6 & ½ pearls in it!

Here is a video of my wife’s fun at Japan’s Pick a Pearl so you know what you’re in for if you want to give it a shot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fsil35CZfI

 

[apicozzi]

We always love stopping by this to watch for a while - the cast members make it so entertaining and fun! I can't help but laugh while watching their extreme expressions.

 

[maddiebee]

We did this last trip and it was a total hoot!

 

[sharadoc]

We've done it and it was a lot of fun. The thing we liked was that it showed some of the ceremonial way that things can be approached in Japan. Very cool the way they present the pearl to you, and bow.

 

[songkat]

I loved my experience this past February. I had always planned on doing the pearl myself, which I did, but then my sister surprised me by buying a 14k gold cage for my pearl. So pretty!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/songkat/14395506148/

 

[LillsnJills]

Am I completely misremembering, or did the Japan pavilion originally have actual pearl divers? I went when I was a teenager (1987 or thereabout), and distinctly remember there being a large pool in one building, where divers would actually swim down to pick up however many oysters you requested.

Also, does anyone know if you can bring your own jewelry to have it set with the pearls you get?

 

[MOUSEANDALL]

I'm so excited. After hearing everyone's reviews I will be doing this with my daughter (she is 6) when we go next month. It will be a mother/daughter bonding thing to do. Can they turn it into some kind of jewelry afterwards? A pendant, earring, something? Thanks.

 

[Jkpark]

Lillsnjills - I remember divers at Sea World in 1985 and wish they still did that. Curious if Japan did too

 

[LillsnJills]

Lillsnjills - I remember divers at Sea World in 1985 and wish they still did that. Curious if Japan did too

Wonder if I'm combining two memories, because we did Sea World on that trip as well. I know I got a pretty bookmark with my name written in Japanese while I was at Epcot, and in my mind we did the pick a pearl at the same time. But that was a lot of years ago, and the memory isn't what it used to be.

 

[maddiebee]

I'm so excited. After hearing everyone's reviews I will be doing this with my daughter (she is 6) when we go next month. It will be a mother/daughter bonding thing to do. Can they turn it into some kind of jewelry afterwards? A pendant, earring, something? Thanks.

Yup! They have a case of things you can have it set into. I'm not sure how long it takes though.

 

[si-am]

My husband bought me a "pick a pearl" last year and I loved it! I ended up with a large-ish pearl and had it made into a really simple pendant. They have all kinds of settings you can choose, and it takes about an hour (or it did when I was there) to have it made. They give you a receipt and you just go pick it up later after the time they've given you. We went and had lunch in Morocco and then doubled-back to pick up my necklace.

I also highly recommend! It's a souvenir that is special but doesn't scream "Disney!" I wear my necklace all the time and it always brings back that memory.

I do recommend going during the first hour or so that WS is open before it gets super crowded.

 

[kaylasmom07]

That looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TSR6]

It was a blast...and I'm glad we "stumbled" upon it after a couple EPCOT beverages.

The video I took with my wife (posted above... or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fsil35CZfI ) - was only half the fun. I snuck back there later in the trip and got her twins. Boy was she surprised.

Now to find a setting for them....lol

 

[AladdinRapunzelTink]

They also have this on the beach @ BC, but I recommend doing it in Japan as they make more of a show of it.

Also it should be mentioned that after a chain and setting, this can be a pricey souvenir. I was astonished at how quickly DD's $15 pearl turned into a $120 necklace.

 

[guinness408]

Silly question maybe, but are these real pearls?

 

[RubySue]

Silly question maybe, but are these real pearls?

Yes, real pearls. I did this last trip while we were killing time in the Mitsukoshi store during a rainstorm.

A lot of fun. I got a 7mm pink pearl.

 

[stacy87]

I was every so slightly obsessed by the Japan pavillion in EPCOT during our trip in 2010! I got 3 pearls, including one for myself and two for my little cousins which I had set into necklaces for them

It was a great experience, great fun, would highly recommend it also

 

[katt789]

I have been meaning to do this for a while now!! It just seems like so much fun and a great way to have something to come home with!

Did you end up getting something to put the pearl in from Disney? I've heard that it's cheaper to get them online before/after, I really like the cinderella carriage necklace!

 

[TSR6]

I have been meaning to do this for a while now!! It just seems like so much fun and a great way to have something to come home with!

Did you end up getting something to put the pearl in from Disney? I've heard that it's cheaper to get them online before/after, I really like the cinderella carriage necklace!

My wife is going to get something through Etsy or something I guess.... That's to be determined yet!

 

[BigAlsGal]

Did pick a pearl. I just loved it. I wear my necklace all the time. I get lots of compliments on it. Everytime I put it on I think of disney. What a great keepsake.