As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Tis only 88 days till our next trip to The Best Place In The World Ever , and as it will fall while we're there, I was trying to think of ways to make Valentine's Day more special. We'll be in Epcot that day and I love the idea of picking a pearl but wanted to find out more so I can start dropping the hint now in order for hubby to pick up on it by the time we go..!
I've had a look around on here but can't find much (especially as I'm always getting distracted by other things!). There's nothing in the PassPorter itself or any of my other guide books either. Does anyone have any pictures of how they can set the pearl(s) for you? I did see a post giving a rough idea of prices for this but couldn't see any of the'finished products'. If I can get an idea of what I would like before we get there then it'll mean less dithering when we do!
Many thanks in advance
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Tinkerboo (or in the real world, Toyah) Reading Challenge 2015: 0/84
Follow my journey from sweaty panting mess to running goddess (I hope!) Out walking with The Boy...
I did this in 2005 and my oyster had TWINS! I got both set in separate necklace pieces. I'll take a photo and post it when I can.
I can't recall off hand how much it cost, but I didn't think it was all that much. I couldn't figure out what was going on when the lady starting shouting and then they played the gong. She had to explain to me that it's a big deal to have twin pearls. I wear my one setting almost everyday. I'm wearing it in my sig pic, but I'll try and get a closeup yet for you.
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Denise
Counting down to....
May 2017 - Poly (Grandma's 1st Trip to WDW)
Sept 2017 - DH's bday celebration
Aug 2018 - DCL Family cruise on the Dream
I seem to recall it's $15 or $16 with tax. They have the oysters all in a couple of long low water tanks. You spend some time choosing while other folks are doing their pearls (you have to pay first). Then you point, they take it out and do their deal. It's fun, and we've done one (well... several ) every trip we take! We never get them set, tho. Maybe this year?
We did this when we went in September. I think it was $14 to get a ticket, then you give the person your ticket when it's your turn to pick your pearl. I picked one out and then I had it set on a ring. I think the setting I chose was $40. (There are other more expensive ones) My husband also picked out a pearl and we had it set in a necklace for his mom. I think that setting was around $12 and the chain about $18...but I don't remember exactly. I wil try to post a picture of my ring as soon as I can.
i did this with my sisters while we were seeking shelter from a rainstorm...it was unplanned and lots of fun...the price was reasonable and there were some inexpensive setting choices...all three of us got a very nice pearl and all were colored...pink, cream/yellow,and i got a black pearl. they go thru a whole process of cleaning and measuring the pearl ....when they opened my pearl they rang a gong and announced the lucky find...by the time we were done the rain had passed and there was a little crowd gathered around the pick a pearl...that year for Christmas one of my sisters gave me earrings to match my necklace....we still laugh about my "most rare and beautiful pearl"
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I've done it twice (and the friend who came with me last trip did it, as well). The first time I did it (early 1990s) I just took the pearl home and got it set several years later at a local jeweler's (I didn't like any of the settings Disney had then).
This past time, I did two oysters - one for myself, one for my dog, LOL. Our trip theme was Princesses and, hey, she's a princess, too!! Okay, plus I knew I'd have a better chance at getting a good color. And it worked, too, 'cause my dog's pearl is a regular ol' champagne color (similar to what I got the first time) but mine is a gorgeous silvery blue, one of the colors I was really hoping for!! (And if I recall correctly, that blue one came out of my second oyster! So my plan worked!! )
I've posted a photo of my pearl on here before. Not sure if I ever posted a pic of my ring or not (I got mine set into a ring, by the way, LOL). I got a white gold ring for myself. My dog got a sterling silver flower-shaped pin (so can wear it when she wears a bandanna). My only complaint is the glue didn't hold on my dog's pin and the pearl fell off! Thankfully, it fell off as soon as we walked in the door at home (not in the restaurant or car or store[s] we'd just been in) so I was able to find it after a short search! I still need to glue it back on one of these days (not sure what type of glue to use - don't know if Gorilla Glue would hurt the pearl or not, though I know for sure it'd keep it on the pin until the end of time!).
My friend, by the way, got a pink pearl and she got it put on a yellow gold ring (same design as mine).
It is hard to get a photo of my pearl's true color, but the photo of it in the salt is pretty close. The ones of it on my finger didn't come out as well with the color. (In the salt pic, mine is the rightmost pearl. My dog's champagne pearl is the middle one. My friend's pink one is the leftmost.)
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Last edited by Ms_Butterfly; 11-16-2007 at 03:57 AM..
I've done it twice (and the friend who came with me last trip did it, as well). The first time I did it (early 1990s) I just took the pearl home and got it set several years later at a local jeweler's (I didn't like any of the settings Disney had then).
This past time, I did two oysters - one for myself, one for my dog, LOL. Our trip theme was Princesses and, hey, she's a princess, too!! Okay, plus I knew I'd have a better chance at getting a good color. And it worked, too, 'cause my dog's pearl is a regular ol' champagne color (similar to what I got the first time) but mine is a gorgeous silvery blue, one of the colors I was really hoping for!! (And if I recall correctly, that blue one came out of my second oyster! So my plan worked!! )
I've posted a photo of my pearl on here before. Not sure if I ever posted a pic of my ring or not (I got mine set into a ring, by the way, LOL). I got a white gold ring for myself. My dog got a sterling silver flower-shaped pin (so can wear it when she wears a bandanna). My only complaint is the glue didn't hold on my dog's pin and the pearl fell off! Thankfully, it fell off as soon as we walked in the door at home (not in the restaurant or car or store[s] we'd just been in) so I was able to find it after a short search! I still need to glue it back on one of these days (not sure what type of glue to use - don't know if Gorilla Glue would hurt the pearl or not, though I know for sure it'd keep it on the pin until the end of time!).
My friend, by the way, got a pink pearl and she got it put on a yellow gold ring (same design as mine).
It is hard to get a photo of my pearl's true color, but the photo of it in the salt is pretty close. The ones of it on my finger didn't come out as well with the color. (In the salt pic, mine is the rightmost pearl. My dog's champagne pearl is the middle one. My friend's pink one is the leftmost.)
I am definitely doing this when I go - this will be my birthday present!! I LOVE the color of your pearl - wish me luck that I'll get a blue or black one!!!
Thanks very much everyone for your advice - I've read through all the pages on the link to the DISboard and am quite excited now! Pearl happens to be my birthstone too, so it will have an extra significance as well as being my Disney valentine's gift
Fingers crossed for a black one now!!
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Tinkerboo (or in the real world, Toyah) Reading Challenge 2015: 0/84
Follow my journey from sweaty panting mess to running goddess (I hope!) Out walking with The Boy...
I have done this a few times, all in the Japan store at Epcot....and usually have great luck. Yes the settings are different prices but the only word of caution I have is so be careful on the ring settings. They seem to be not as snug as the necklaces and both times I had to take them to a jeweler when i got home and have them re-set at an additional cost. Not sure if anyone else has had this problem, maybe it was the settings I picked????
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Margaret
I am not a Disney employee. The postings here are my own and do not represent the positions or opinions of the Disney Company
My dd & I are going down to WDW next June for her 13th birthday. I think I will take her to do this since Pearl is her birthstone. What better way to give her a pearl for her birthday than to pick one at WDW. I didn't know about the place in Japan in Epcot but I knew about the booth at DTD and the place in Typhoon Lagoon. I will keep it a surprise since she just assumes the only gift she is getting is the trip.
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, and as it will fall while we're there, I was trying to think of ways to make Valentine's Day more special. We'll be in Epcot that day and I love the idea of picking a pearl but wanted to find out more so I can start dropping the hint now in order for hubby to pick up on it by the time we go..! 
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Pixie Dust
) every trip we take! We never get them set, tho. Maybe this year?
[IMG]<a href="http://s483.photobucket.com/albums/rr199/freegott1/?action=view¤t=101_0771_0072_072.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr199/freegott1/101_0771_0072_072.jpg" border="0" alt="mommy and victoria"></a>[/IMG]
Margaret
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