There are two tanks to select from, and you can pick whichever oyster you like. Once you’ve made your choice, a cast member from Japan will open the oyster when it’s your turn. There can be a few minute wait. It was busy but not completely slammed when we were there and we waited maybe 10 minutes. It wasn’t a problem, though, because it was fun to see everyone else’s pearls.

My tween daughter and I each selected an oyster, and then the fun began. (Not that picking out the oyster wasn’t fun, but, well, closed oysters aren’t nearly as lovely as the pearls inside.)

The cast members are very animated when opening, and teach those watching how to count down 3-2-1 in Japanese. We still do the countdown around our house on occasion. They certainly know how to build the excitement and anticipation and create a festive, celebratory atmosphere.

The cast members are almost as excited as the guests when they reveal the pearl. I’m using singular here because the vast majority of oysters house just one pearl but it is possible, although rare, that an oyster will yield two pearls – twins! My daughter and I weren’t so fortunate, but we thought our pearls were simply lovely.

The cast members even beat a drum to announce the arrival of your pearl.

Once they have extricated the pearl from the oyster, they measure it using the metal piece, trying each premeasured hole until the pearl slips through. Some pearls are bigger than others, and no size is guaranteed, but the two that we purchased and the ones we saw opened before and after ours were approximately the same size, around 6 mm. If you get the biggest pearl of the day, the cast members make quite a fuss.

The cast members will then examine your pearl and tell you more about it, including the shape and color. One of ours had a pinkish cast, and the other was a little green.

So, what do you do with your pearl? There are settings available and cast members can make earrings, rings, necklaces, and other items. The cost was a little steep for us, so we headed to Etsy and found this charming necklace. It’s Cinderella’s carriage, and the pearl fits inside. So cute!

It’s among my favorite souvenirs from Disney World. I love to wear it with a light blue dress when Disneybounding as Cinderella.

The Pick-a-Pearl in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot is a fun experience for all ages that your family will remember for a long time to come and that gives you a treasure to cherish far into the future.

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Epcot is divided into two parts: Future World, which is home to attractions like Test Track, The Seas with Nemo and Soarin’, and the World Showcase, which features 11 different countries. There’s a lot to see and do, but you can’t do it without fueling up first, so I’m sharing my both my favorite breakfast items in Epcot.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So where to go? Check out this video to see three different quick breakfast spots that have the best breakfast items in Epcot. (Please note: this is for quick service breakfasts. If you have time, breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall with the princess is lovely, and delicious. It’s possible that they brought us an entire extra tray of delicious bacon when we were there in January, thus earning our undying gratitude and appreciation.)

If I had to pick a favorite quick and easy location for breakfast, I’d say Les Halles Bounlangerie-Patisserie in France. Les Halles in the France Pavilion opens before the rest of the World Showcase opens. Just tell the staff that you want to go have breakfast there and they’ll let you into the World Showcase. Not everyone knows that it’s open, and not many people head there first thing, so it’s not very crowded, as you saw in the video. It’s a chance to really take in the beauty of the area and enjoy a lovely start to the day.

I’m a sucker for a fabulous croissant and a pain au chocolate, while perhaps not intended as a breakfast food, is a perfect way to start a vacation day in my book. I also love that they have some items with more protein, like Croissant Jambon Fromage (ham and cheese croissant) and quiche.

The French pavilion is also a very convenient breakfast option if you are using the back entrance to Epcot if you are staying at the Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk resorts. France also has some pretty fantastic coffee if you need the caffeine. (Thought there is also a Starbucks in Future World if you can’t make it that far.)

I really wish I was going during Food and Wine Festival time so I could check out the Parisian Breakfast at Chefs de France. The Disney website says of the breakfast buffet option, “Bubble away with mimosa, tuck into just-baked baguettes, rich brioches and golden croissants.” Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? I wish they would offer it year-round and not just during Food and Wine.

Of course, if a croissant doughnut at Port Refreshment is more your style, I’m not about to judge. And if you want to hit Sunshine Seasons to stay close to the rides in Future World, you can find the menu, with items like croissant berry pudding, french toast and a breakfast panini, here.

What’s your favorite breakfast item in Epcot?

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