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Category Archives: Parks & Resorts
A Pearl of a Wisdom: Don’t Miss This Souvenir From Epcot’s Japan Pavilion
With gift shops around just about every corner, Disney World has a lot to offer in the line of souvenirs. There are the typical character clad gifts like t-shirts, picture frames, and stuffed animals; today we are talking something in a bit of a different direction! Epcot’s World Showcase provides you a trip around the world in just over a mile! This isn’t just a site seeing tour my friends! This is a tour for the senses as there are sights to behold, sounds to enjoy, smells to tempt you, items to be touched (and bought), and of course your taste buds will be delighted! With so much to see and do, it is good to have an idea of what you might find as you make your way through World Showcase. Today I am highlighting the Japan Pavilion’s unique souvenir, Pick a Pearl.
Who is Pick a Pearl for?
Pick a Pearl is for ANYONE! There are tons of setting choices and the possibilities for a unique creation are endless! More importantly, there are tons of oysters waiting to be chosen. While this is targeted toward women, that doesn’t mean that a sweet boyfriend, husband, or son couldn’t choose a pearl for the lady in their life (hint, hint, hint).
What is Pick a Pearl Anyway?
Here’s how it works, walk to the back of the Mitsukoshi Department Store (in the Japan Pavilion). Listen for the sound of the drum and the beating of sticks as happy new pearl owners celebrate their find. As you make your way over you’ll see large tanks containing oysters waiting to be picked for the big reveal. A cast member will help get the ceremony started as you select just the right oyster. As your hopes for a magnificent pearl mount, the cast member will open your oyster. I’ve seen traditional white pearls, colorful pearls, pearls that are big, small, and in between. Pearls are measured and the celebration begins. (Tip here: if you don’t want to be at the center of drum banging attention…you might want to skip this spot). Your pearl info is written on your baggy and you can go to the jewelery counter to choose a setting. There are many settings availible. The cost of the pearl is about $15. The cost of each setting varies, but you could leave with a one of a kind souvenir for relatively cheap.
When can you Pick a Pearl?
You can Pick a Pearl anytime within the operating hours of World Showcase (11am -9pm).
Where do you go to find Pick a Pearl?
Mitsukoshi Department store in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase.
Why would you want to Pick a Pearl?
I like to take home something from my trip. When I go to Disney World I always choose something that will take me back to that moment and that time. I am on the hunt for new, original, and different! Picking a pearl seems like the perfect one of a kind gift! No two pearls are exactly alike, settings can totally transform your find into something beautiful, and let’s not forget the experience of it all! It’s not every day that a drum is beat for the world to hear as you make a purchase!
Are you a repeat pearl picker? Maybe you aren’t. I hope you will stop by the Japan Pavilion next time you are in Epcot to pick a pearl of your own or maybe just celebrate another guest’s find! I know you’ll enjoy this unique experience!
Related articles
- Coming this June to Epcot: Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure (chipandco.com)
- New Pics! Tutto Italia and Gusto Wine Cellar Exteriors in Epcot (disneyfoodblog.com)
- Drink Around the World Showcase – Japan Pavilion (chipandco.com)
- Top 5 Epcot Traditions (chipandco.com)
Disney Legend Alice Davis Will Receive an Honorary Window on Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrow Morning at Disneyland
Tomorrow morning marks a very special day for Alice Davis: she has earned her place on Main Street with a window. Employed by Walt himself, Davis is known for developing costumes for the theme parks, films, and television programs. She was married to Marc Davis, an Imagineer and one of Disney’s “Nine Old Men” animators.
Davis’ work in Disneyland park ranges from the costumes the children wear on “it’s a small world” to the dirty, raggedy attire worn by the pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean. She retired from WED (Walt Disney Enterprises, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering) in 1978 but still consults on film projects, most recently Disney/Pixar’s “Up”.
Davis was named a Disney Legend in 2004. Her window will be right next to her husband’s.
I will be there tomorrow morning (before school!) and I plan to tweet live during the event. You can follow me on Twitter at @ocswaynee to follow along with the event as it happens.
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog.
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- Taking a Ride Down Main Street USA (chipandco.com)
“Carbon-Freeze Me” Experience at Star Wars Weekends 2012
Coming this year to Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll have the opportunity to relive the famous carbon freezing scene from The Empire Strikes Back with the “Carbon-Freeze Me” experience. This new experience was created especially for Disney Parks, and is part of our “D-Tech Me” line that uses technology to take personalization to a whole new level.
Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, this experience casts your likeness as a three-dimensional, eight-inch figurine. At the “Carbon Freezing Chamber” (located adjacent to The American Idol Experience), several cameras will capture multiple angles of your face. The images are then reconstructed in a computer for processing, and, in approximately four weeks, the completed figurine is shipped directly to your house.
Each carbonite figurine is $99.95 (plus shipping). You can order additional figurines using the same image scan for $74.95 each. The replica figurine can be hung on a wall, just like the gangster Jabba the Hutt did in Return of the Jedi. Guests also receive a light-up wristband.
The experience will officially open on Friday May 18 with the launch of Star Wars Weekends 2012. Reservations are required and can be made starting Monday, May 7 by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324).
*Please note – Separate Theme Park admission required for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No discounts apply unless otherwise noted. Guests must be at least three (3) years of age to participate. A valid accepted credit card number is required at time of booking. No-shows or in the event a reservation is cancelled within 48 hours of scheduled experience will result in such credit card being charged a $25 cancellation fee. The experience, due to its personalized nature is non-refundable and not eligible for an exchange. Children must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age or older during the entire experience. Certain restrictions may apply. All prices, components and information are subject to change without notice.
Related articles
- See the New Star Wars Weekends 2012 Television Spot (video) (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)
- Activities: Star Wars Weekends (aglassslippervacation.com)
Art of Animation Discount for Disney Visa Cardholders
Use your Disney’s Visa Card to save 15% at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Book now through 6/14/12
for travel 6/18/12 – 9/27/12
Experience Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World® Resort and save 15% when you book with your Disney’s Visa® Card.
From the magically themed family suites and rooms, to the spectacular courtyards and sparkling pools, you can experience what it’s like to be a Character inside some of the most popular and beloved Walt Disney Pictures and Disney•Pixar movies. Choose to be immersed in one of four wonderful “worlds,” including:
- Finding Nemo Family Suites
Opening May 31, 2012 - Cars Family Suites
Opening June 18, 2012 - The Lion King Family Suites
Opening August 10, 2012 - The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms
Opening September 15, 2012
And every family will find the right accommodation for them — from suites sleeping up to six, to standard rooms accommodating up to four Guests. Plus, every Family Suite provides just the right amount of extra room to spread out in comfort.
Check out what Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has to offer. Click here
Plus, when you stay at a select Disney Resort Hotel, you’ll enjoy an array of special Disney touches that let you do things like:
- Spend more quality time with your family and friends with a benefit where a Theme Park is open extra time each day to enjoy select attractions! (Valid Theme Park admission and Resort ID required.)
- Get around with ease – thanks to complimentary motorcoach transportation between Orlando International Airport and your Disney Resort Hotel AND throughout Walt Disney World® Resort, as well.
- Experience amazing entertainment for everyone – fantastic pools included!
Call 1-407-939-1896 or your Pixie travel agent, use code Q4F.
The number of rooms available at this rate is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room. Minimum length of stay requirements may apply for Friday and Saturday arrivals. See important details.1
Related articles
- Fans of “All Things Disney” Make Memories, Rack up Rewards with New Disney’s Premier Visa Card (chipandco.com)
- Disney World Quick Tips – Ten FREE Things To Do At Disney World (chipandco.com)
Disney World Planning: Picking Non Busy Times to Go
My family and I are finding it hard and harder to plan our Disney World Vacations during slower times of the year. The reason is there is NO MORE slow times of the year at Walt Disney World.
We have a membership to Touring Plans. Like most people I use the Crowd Calendar to plan when we are going to visit the theme parks. There in lies the problem. LIKE MOST PEOPLE.
In this day and age everyone is using tools like Touring Plans Crowd Calendar to plan when to go to Disney World. In the picture above is the estimated Crowd Levels for Feb 2013. In the past February is usually not that busy. Other than Presidents Week we have visited with minimal crowds. That my friends is no longer the case.
As you can see where there used to be 1′s & 2′s they are now replaced with 3′s & 4′s. Our last trip I was forced to figure out a new way to travel which seemed to help with the unexpected crowds.
So I couldn’t say we offer Planning Tips if I didn’t offer up a way to pick Non Busy Times to goto the parks. I think in this day in age till Disney decides to build a 3rd theme park here in the US you are just going to have to pick dates when there is nothing going on.
Things like Free Dining, Special Room Rates, Park Events, etc. Of course that means you will be paying a higher price to go to the Parks. So you and your family will have to decide which is the lesser of 2 evils.
Crowds vs Saving Money
I wish I had a magic crystal ball and be able to predict when the best time to go now. Unfortunately like you we are all stuck in the same boat of guessing when that is.
I want here what you think. Do you think the parks are becoming to crowded? Is it becoming impossible to pick a slow season?
Related articles
- Could the Disney Vacation Club be Right for Your Family? (chipandco.com)
- Is Disney World becoming too crowded? (chipandco.com)
