Dollism Plus US Sep 19-21, 2014, presented by Dollheart, Den of Angels & Mint on Card

Yeah, maybe I can fly with you and room with you too! Sure would save in cost!

 

Oh good gravy! No way am I flying.... there are no direct flights and I would spend 14 hours and be on four planes and spend $615 PER PERSON and then have to worry about getting around once I got there, or I can just spend $170 in gas and eight hours in a car.

 

ROTFLOL! If I could drive from the Seattle area (and logically I could, but you know...) then I would, but I'm going to have to limit myself to smaller dolls and fly. My sis will be going with me, so we'll combo any purchases, and have checked luggage when we get back. We will consider shipping some stuff. Argh, so painful, my company has no large offices in the area, or I might be able to sneakily inter-office email things to myself, LOL!

There's just no way not to go, I mean we're practically sure there will be doll companies there, and that's such an enormous thing! The only times I've been able to go to a con like that is in NYCC with Soom (AMAZING) and then a week ago with PNW BJD con (AWESOME), so that's just simply an experience I will not pass up, and I'd choose that over events that just don't have that component, it's so outstanding! At PNW Ringdoll was doing surveys, and I got to give my input directly--this is amazing, easily the best experience I've had on the West coast, so I'm hoping for more of that amazing on the East coast next year!

Plus, while I'm sure we can pre-order dolls there, I'm sure that everything I purchase may not be available there, so there's always opportunities for them to ship to me--hopefully.

Really, a lot does depend on where we'll be staying versus attending, and who's coming to the con!

.hlp

 

^ Heidi, if you were driving from Seattle, I'd ask you to swing south & pick me up on the way. Bleh! Driving SF to NYC is like 4-5 days at least, depending on the derangement of your driver's preferred speed, & how s/he feels about little things like sleep and bathroom-breaks. Not so much practical for a 2-day event. I'd also never drive across this heartland of ours without a shotgun.

So, I'm still waiting for that teleport to be built, but meantime, airplanes it is.

 

I'm hoping to go. ^^ It isn't like this is your every-day meet-up. This is a con! I've traveled across the country for anime conventions before, and this is really no different! (Actually, this is better XD) It's also right around the time of my birthday, which is early September, so I can count it as my birthday present to myself, haha. I am looking forward to it greatly!

 

Me too! Then I could just pop over to Japan for Doll Show and still be home in time to eat dinner.

 

Well, using Southwest I'd have a stopover, but maybe not from Charlotte. I dunno, the website is not coming up for me.

Edit: According to Travelocity, I can do United nonstop. However, I know nothing about renting a car! Anyone have more experience with that?

 

Car rentals are not horrible! I've had to do this several times for business, and while you can rent via website in advance, I've found, unless I know there's going to be a huge event, it's just as easy to rent on-site at the airport, which is important as some car companies 'at the airport' are actually a bus or transit ride to an off-site location by the airport...so much faaaail. So renting is quite easy.

But! You may want to wait until the venue's set so you can determine if it's just easier to split a cab from the airport--with the timing, you can be almost sure there will be dolly-folk on every incoming flight, so that might be more affordable! And a car rental might be unnecessary depending on the locale, which would just peeve you because you could spend that on shoes...wigs...eyes...cough-cough a dooollllll...

Now, the thing I need to check on at some point is individual car companies' policies on allowing a rental into Canada from the US, there's some circumstances under which you cannot drive a rental across the border, but it's been years since I've had that as an issue. My step-parents had to rent from a specific car company to visit me and my sis a couple of years ago however. If visas permit, I would be delighted to do a quickish run to Canada to get some Timmies and other vital supplies--unless we could arrange a delightful Timmies run from the Canadian contingent.

Dollism Agenda:
Friday, X September 2014:
Opening Ceremony, 4PM

Timmies Supply Run Arrival, 4:10 PM

I will lodge my request for Honey Cruller TimBits now. And if someone brings ketchup potato chips, bonus points.

.hlp

 

Thanks Heidi!

 

There are at least 3 Tim's locations in Niagara Falls on the US side.

https://www.google.com/search?q=niagara+falls+ny+tim+hortons&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

 

Bummer, no direct flights from Seattle to Buffalo... it will be an epic all-day journey, about as long as flying to Tokyo XO
A location next to a major hub would be convenient, especially for those travelling from outside the US. Only thing worse than layovers is having to grab your luggage, go through US customs, and hoof it over to departures during a layover.
On the other hand, maybe it will be a good chance to explore NY.

For those renting cars, it's pretty easy although there are weird age restrictions if you are under, say, 25 or 26. I rented a van to drive from Seattle > Vancouver and crossing borders was not an issue, no extra insurance or anything needed. Just go in to the rental office knowing what you want and stay firm, they will pressure you to get that Cadillac SUV every time!

 

Oh! And check with your car insurance, many people have insurance that covers car rentals, so if renting a car, you wouldn't need to essentially get double the insurance...only many people may not know what insurance they will have over a year from now, never mind.

Aaah, that's right, the East coast is waaay more Timmie's Friendly than Washington state, hooray! Now I only need ketchup chips.

.hlp

 

It looks like there's flights from Manchester, UK, to Buffalo, NY. There's one stop in the middle (seems to be usually Philadelphia,) but it's doable. Just need to know dates really.

I don't drive, so it'll be good to know the schedule so I can think about getting around town. Buses in other countries are a bit terrifying - there's only one bus service through my village and trains are pretty straightforward too (you either go towards London or Chester in one direction or Holyhead in the other)

 

This still sounds like a really dangerous idea! There's not a good way to ensure that the teenager hasn't actually forged a signature on that release him/herself, and without a legal guardian on-site, how can you hold a teenager responsible for causing damages? Who would make medical decisions if that teenager were having a health emergency? It's very unfortunate that some teenagers don't have supportive adults in their lives, but attending a private convention that might be far away from home is very different from going to the mall.

 

DOLLISM!? this is amazing news! and i'm so excited i'll have more than a year to save LOL i will def be in attendance...and if i could be a vendor, well, WOW

ETA: Last year, my sister and I flew from Baltimore to Seattle for a bjd expo. so, for all you West Coasters, i think it would be well worth the trip. the flight wasn't terribly expensive since we booked early and it was a nice little vaca

 

Hmm, I just realized I could fly direct to Toronto from Seattle. It's about 2 hours from Buffalo so it might be more fun to go early and explore Toronto and then drive to the con, rather than the hassle of a connection in Newark or Chicago. I'm unfamiliar with that area but it seems feasible

 

So it looks like Southwest flies from Seattle to Buffalo! And it would only be $280ish... God I love Southwest and helping to enable my dolly addiction

 

I've driven from Toronto to Niagara falls. Was fairly easy and pretty direct. We were doing Toronoto and area and didn't cross back into US, so I don't know how much farther to con. Toronto was a fun city, and we enjoyed the wineries between Toronto & Niagara.

 

The one thing, which probably wouldn't be too much of a problem - just extra time, is that you'll have to go through Canadian customs just to go back into the USA. It's certainly something you could do, especially if you're thinking of checking out Toronto and the surrounding area too (which I say you should, but that's me be being biased), but it's something to consider if you're using it just as a gateway to Western New York.

 

I'll be there ^-^ It's not a far drive at all.

 

This is exciting news. I never attended a big BJD convention so, if I somehow make it, it would be a really memorable event! I can't wait to get more information... :3

 

I just checked and it's about six hours from Grand Rapids. Totally doable! I just have to get my daughter a passport so we can go through Canada.

 

I think the con (or some organization contacted by the con) should offer a special tour to the Canadian Falls on an extended day that we could all sign up for (with maybe a group discount!)... that would be cool!

 

I'd be so down for this. Touring the falls is the only thing that convinced my husband to come with me =/ I wouldnt want to come by myself but watching me squee-out over BJD things can only keep him entertained for so long.

 

That'll be cool. I still need to get a passport.

 

Oh, Rynn... how ever will you decide who to bring with??
I may try to get to the Canadian side of the falls myself.. my husband wants to take me there BEFORE the I go to the con with my friends since it is something he has been wanting to do for a long time.

 

Oh how exciting! Especially with the 10th anniversary of DoA! I was just thinking of how long I've been on here the other day. It's a long way to go, but there's plenty of time to plan...

Anyone else from outside the US thinking of going?

 

All being well I'll be going and I'm from the Conwy area of North Wales.

Where would you be flying from if you decided to go? Manchester's nearest for me. Are there flights from Cardiff or would it be West Midlands that's closest for you?

 

oh yea. passport. heh.... >.>; well I suppose there's enough time for me to get one XD

 

I have a request to bring Wolfrik, my Chrom. So he'll come. Bring your Hati! I'll bring my Skoll too. LOL. Dunno who else will come.

 

Even better, someone from Wales! I think ordinarily I would choose to fly from Cardiff if it was an option to get there (I've no idea!), but I'm fortunate enough that my husband works for an airline, so we get reduced rate tickets with the airline. We'd have to fly from Gatwick or Heathrow and then get a connecting flight from New York though. More money to spend free to spend on doll stuff that way!

Is it too much to hope that Volks comes? Do they usually attend events outside of their own? I'd probably end up very poor if they did, lol!

I'd have an almost 4 year old and an 11 month old by then! Not sure how I'd feel about leaving them at home. The 11 month old would likely be fine to come (how would DoA feel about babes in arms?), but my toddler is already completely obsessed by my dolls. She's very respectful, but a convention full of other peoples pretty, shiny dolls she couldn't touch would likely be too much for her!

 

I live near Detroit, so the border is only a half hour away. And it's about a 4 hour trip. Very doable!

 

This sounds like so much fun, but it'll be a long trip if I can find a way to go, which I want to. I might have to start saving.

 

Any sculpts that you're excited to see in person? I would love to see a Limhwa half elf in person.

 

Genji for sure! Will never be able to afford one. Williams too. I dunno who else, lol.

 

I hope they come too I'd love to show them my DDs!

I'm seriously so excited that there is going to be this event; bonus that it's on the east coast. It's about a 3 hour-ish drive from me.

I'm going to try my hardest to go and hopefully go with my mom or find others to carpool with. This is so awesome. Even if it's a BJD centered con, I think my DDs will enjoy attending...I'll also have to get my Volks Rose a body to borrow for the event.

I'm imagining all the shoes that I will be buying for the girls

 

Oh god soo many.
Soom Chalco
Volks Williams
Volks Kohya
ANY Luts doll
Soom Bygg
Dollclans Kien
Volks School A
oh God I couldn't possibly name them all here!! >< lol
Oh also any Iplehouse! too =3

 

Reisner. I want to see one in person so bad.

 

I've always loved seeing pictures from the Dollism Plus events ;-;. I want to go so badly... NY is so very, very, very, verrry far away though... even with that much time to save up I ..hmmmmmmm.....

 

I'd love to go, no direct flights from St. Louis to Buffalo either though, so I might hope the location gets changed...the travel time will be a bugger for me!

 

Wally you could always travel with us

 

I would love it if Volks could make it. We can always hope

It's still in the planning stages, but I think that as long as parents are happy to chaperone their children it should be a family decision whether they come. For us coming from Wales it's a big trip. I'm going to be making a holiday of it, I couldn't afford just to go for the weekend, and I can only imagine having to leave my babies behind for two weeks.

It'd be lovely to meet you and your Rose - I'm bringing mine

I'd really like to see a Volks Irvin in person. I hope someone will bring one!

 

This sounds brilliant!

I'm actually living just a 40 minute drive away over the Canadian border but sadly we're likely moving somewhere much less convienent later this year (otherwise I'd have been tempted to bring along too many dolls! ) - but still, sounds like a fun event!

 

Old Delf or anything Luts sells currently?

 

I would really love for Loongsoul to be there. I'd love to be able to thank them and show them my Emily twins. And maybe, hopefully they'll have some of their previous fantasy dolls with them. TanYue (Vermillion Bird) and JunShi (Black Tortoise) are my absolute favorites.

Batchix and Miss Monster would be a double bonus. (Miss Monster's dolls are likely OT for the forum, but I think they're brilliant.)

 

Oh, are we allowed to bring items for trading/selling??

 

^ Yes yes, I hope so! A swap-meet event is always a great thing to have! Every time we had one at a Dollectable or GoGaDoll event, the swap-meet slots sold out before anything else did. Evvvverybody's got a boxful of stuff to get rid of. ^^ (Some of my best mysterious-origin clothes victories have been swap-meet finds.)

 

Both ^^
Old Delf and SDF,SSDF and KDF included XD
Ooh that would be cool if we could sell things
God but I'd be just begging to broke after the con at that point, lol!

 

I really hope Switch and Crobidoll will come. Those are two of my favorite doll companies. I'm not sure who I will bring yet though^^

 

Might be doable, lol. I have my Chrom to bring for sure, along with y Skoll at least...we'll see who else I can bring!

 

When I went to the last NY Dolpa, I carried 4 full Volks SDs, an MSD, a YoSD, and an extra head in a very small rolling suitcase that also contained all of my clothes and toiletries. You just have to get creative when packing.

Since I am hoping to travel by car with rkold, I'll prob actually be able to bring my whole collection.

 

Well, I'll be flying, so I'll see what I can bring aboard to use as a carrier.

 

@Rynn007: Really? That would be so kind of you. I'm also excited to see
your Chrom, especially any fantasy parts if you still have them
Aww and the little Skoll =w= Oh God is he cute >//<

@Kim: Seriously? You were able to bring that much? You must've had to play
Tetris to do that, lol

I really realized how much I would love to see a YoSD up close.
I think that will determine if I'll like the size when I see one ><

 

I can bring my Neon too. And yes he has his parts, lol. I need to get them blushed, along with Skoll (Kenyon) finished up too. I might have to purchase a bag to bring as my "purse" lol.

 

That sounds good to me Thank you! I'll be looking forward to seeing them
I'm glad I read through these tips on plane travel as now I know I need a carry-on 'purse'
too XD

 

I'm driving up so I most likely will bring one of my Iplehouse dolls & maybe my Idealian. & others - don't know yet who...

 

I've got a Bygg. I've also got older Luts' dolls. along with lots of sooms & volks! We'll have to see closer on who I end up bringing! So many to choose from!

Considering how heavy and hard it is to haul around the larger dolls, I'll probably end up with several MSD or Yosd size.

 

I think you've got a safe plan as far as bringing some YoSDs and MSDs
I'd love to see your Sooms and Volks as well ~

 

I'm probably going to be bringing my Dollshe Afghan and maybe a smaller doll. I'm going to be taking the train most likely and I can't bring everyone that I want to.