Offbeat Disney World experiences: Choose your own oyster and pick a pearl at Japan in Epcot

There are many offbeat experiences that you can have at Disney World. Everyone knows about the rides, shows, and character greetings, but did you know that you can choose an oyster and get a special pearl at the Japanese pavillion in Epcot? It's just one of several "pick a pearl" locations around Disney World, but I think it's the most fun. They make a big production about it, announcing the size and color and beating a drum.

The pearl costs around $17 with tax included, and you can buy a setting for an additional charge. You won't know the size or color beforehand because you choose an oyster from the tank, and chance and luck dictate what will be found inside. Sizes can range from 6 to 6.5 mm and up, and colors can go from white to pink to orange to blue or gray.

I recently picked my own pearl to put into a carriage "cage" charm I purchased on eBay. Join me in the pictures below as I go through the process. In the photo below, I am choosing my oyster from one of the two tanks:

Below is my oyster, ready to be shucked to remove my new pearl (don't worry, they're dead already so you don't have to feel like an "oyster murderer, or at least not directly):

Below is my oyster getting opened:

Voila! Below is my pearl. It's hard to tell in the photo, but it has a pinkish cast to its color:

My pearl is sized with the template below. It turned out to be 7 1/4 mm, which is literally the maximum size that fits into my carriage "cage" pendant:

Below, my pearl is cleaned so I can place it in my pendant:

The celebratory drum roll:

My pearl is placed in its new home, where it fits perfectly:

If you visit Epcot by November 8, you can also enjoy the International Food & Wine Festival. Click here for a review and photos. There are many special Food & Wine events, such as Party for the Senses. Click here to find out what that's all about. To read more of my articles, click here.