Dolpa 2 in New York City Discussion

You will probably get an invitation which you will have to RSVP. Of course I am only basing this off what happened last year. That was my disclaimer LOL.

 

I want to be someones guest

 

Thanks Stella!

I'm super-excited about possibly getting to go. The 9th is one week after I graduate from college!

 

That's good to know! Well, barring injury, death, or illness I'm going to go! I'm so excited!

 

I've been a member for quite some time and have never received an invitation for past events.. can you email them or something if you don't get one?

 

More than likely, you'll still have to sign up for entry first thought the website. Then a lottery might ensue, if there are more people than the party can accomodate. Alex

 

Ah, I'm already anticipating that. I was pretty discouraged after the online events for DP16, so its nice to be excited about another event.

 

Update for today? Does anybody see anything helpful at all on any of those Volks websites? I've been on the blog, the jp site, the usa site, the NYC event site, looking for an INKLING of how to sign up for an invitation-- or at least how they are issued-- and come up nada.

Or maybe anyone can speak up about if you've already received your invitations, & how you got them.

Waiting months for them to figure out the invitation-procedure, & then paying last-minute airfare prices? Not lovely.

 

To be honest, last year they waited until 3 weeks ahead to *mail* out the invitations--no joke. I got mine in the mail about 8 days before I got on the plane. I'd strongly suggest getting your airfare now and getting travel insurance or making sure that the change fee on your ticket is cheap. (It's like $50 for most airlines.)

 

Gah, that is SO lame. Bollocks to purchasing crosscountry airfare & hotel reservations without knowing if you're even invited. A little professionalism, here! Some of us DO have lives to rearrange around Volks's whims!

Funny, I have no trouble wasting $300 on doll shoes, but I powerfully object to blowing $300 on airfare without securing an invitation first. Not that I would mind spending another weekend in NYC-- but then I WOULD have to stay with my sister uptown, and her cat terrifies me.

 

It's way too early to think about invitations. We don't even know what events are planned and what times the convention will be held. Right now, I'm just planning on getting in on Friday and returning home on Monday, so I have all day Sat. and Sun. free.

Also, You can cancel most hotel reservations with at least a 2 day notice. So, if you're not picked, that can be taken care of with a phone call.

Did you guys know in advance if you were chosen or not? Or did you only know when the invitation showed up?

 

I wonder, if enough people flew to NY, & then turned out not to be picked, if we'd have enough of a group to make a Losers' Meetup. Not getting into a painting-class would be sad-- but spending 2 days just posing a big group of dolls in Washington Square, or taking them junk-shopping on St. Marks, THAT would be fun! ^^

(Also, let's face it, the pastrami at Katz's really IS almost worth $300 airfare.)

 

I've never been to NY, so I'm looking forward to going anyway. I can always hope to convince someone to drag me along as a guest if I don't get picked! A loser's meetup would be fun, too.

I don't think it's fair to complain about Volks being unprofessional. Last year was the first time they had a Dolpa in NY and we're really lucky to have the opportunity to go to Dolpas at all! They're still learning what works with US events and things will have to change as the Dollfie fanbase grows and more people want to go to events. We just need to be patient.

Hopefully, they took suggestions and will change some things this year (like invitations) but we really just have to keep an eye on the website to know what they plan to do. If any of the surveys ask for suggestions, don't be afraid to give them!

 

Last time there was a dolly pajama party at the Gershwin, and a few natives took anyone who wanted to go with them through some of the cool shops to go dolly shopping I don't think anyone had a bad time! There's also a *massively* yummy pan-ya in Nihon-machi, just a few subway stops away... May I recommend the amazing gouda-stuffed cheese rolls????

 

I hope I don't end up being left out of fun things like that! I'm looking into places to stay and I've decided the hostel part of the Gershwin is unacceptable to me - I can't leave my stuff there and I can't lug it around the city with me! If I can't find roomates, I'll probably end up staying somewhere else and I don't want to end up being left out of fun doll stuff!

 

This is more of a travel question than anything else, but what airport do you reccomend I fly into? JFK or NYC? Which would be better in terms of getting into Manhatten?

As what others said, even if I'm not picked, I'll just go to the city. If it's an excuse to see Lea Salonga in Les Miserables, I'm there.

 

You can fly into JFK, LaGuardia or Newark and get to the city very easily.

 

I stayed at the Chelsea Savoy last time (about 1/2 mile away), and I still had a blast. The folks staying at the Gershwin were really great about making everyone feel welcome, and most of the external "events" were planned here on the board ahead of time

 

What I mean is, which would be the best airport to fly into where I can catch either MTA or a taxi and how would I go about it? I'd appreciate any help I can get!

 

LaGuardia is right in town, but IMHO it is *the* most pain-in-the-butt airport to deal with in the entire universe. (Well, I have never been to Kabul or Sri Lanka. But my money is still on Laguardia. ^^)

I like Newark (EWR)-- you can catch the most & best flights there from here, and it's easy enough to take PATH, supershuttle, taxi, etc. into the city. Those newfangled Airtrain thingies they've put in are the bomb! Here's some options: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/airlinesairports/a/getto_ewr.htm


... And I hope NONE of us get left out of the fun.

 

If anyone gets left out, I will sneak you into the event in my suitcase.

 

You can get a taxi from any of those airports. Mass transit you can get easily from Kennedy (JFK). Newark does have buses that go to the Port Authority as well. Those three airports are all considered local NYC airports even though Newark is in New Jersey, it's like going from say, the Valley to Santa Monica. I hope this is helpful.

 

Newark is furthest away.
JFK and LaGuardia are around the same distance (someone correct me; I don't drive very often) from Manhattan. As far as public transport I think LGA is easiest; you can catch a bus from out there, but that would be absolutely no fun if you have a lot of luggage.
Taxis are easily accessible at all airports; they're not that big a deal.

Here's the MTA page:
http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/airport.htm

I hope I get the chance to go; I'm a native New Yorker and I missed last year's event.

 

You forgot to mention the JFK! It has access to AirTrain and it easily connects with the subway system. No need for taxis at all. ^^

 

x_x I'm actually really nervous about my flight into the city - I'm afraid of flying XD I'll definitely get over it for the sake of the dolls, but I'm not planning on enjoying it either.

Do you guys actually think there will be people turned down for this event? x_x I haven't heard of anyone getting turned away when they put in for lottery spots for other Volks events, like the parties in LA - Were people turned away last year?

 

No, I didn't forget JFK... I despise JFK. Newark is furthest as the crow flies, but you ain't a crow.

 

I'm glad to hear that some things were planned in advance! If I stay by myself, I don't want to end up being out of the loop.

Hee-hee! All I did at work yesterday was plan my trip and look into different options. Here's all the information I have. I apologize if it's too much for the forum. Please double check everything yourself before making reservations! Also, I didn't even consider the Newark airport, so I have no info about traveling to/from there.

Taxis to/from the hotel are expensive! I've seen $30-$60 quotes, plus tip.

The New York Airport Service Express Bus bus and the Super Shuttle both will deliver you to stations or your hotel, within a certain range of streets. The NY Airport service bus seems to be cheaper than Super Shuttle. Rates to/from La Guardia are $2-$3 cheaper than to/from JFK for both buses. Times to Penn Station for the NY Airport Bus are about 2 hours from JFK and about 1 hour and 10 minutes from La Guardia.
Conclusion: LaGuardia is less expensive and faster.

From JFK you can take the Airtrain two different ways.

#1: Take Airtrain to Jamaica station and then catch the "subway E train from Sutphin Blvd to Archer Ave heading Downtown" (That's what one website said! It may not be the right one!) for $7. You need to buy the $7 prepaid card from an airport machine before riding.

#2: Take Airtrain to Jamaica station. You'll need a $5 prepaid card from an airport machine before riding. At the station, you have to buy a LIRR ticket for $6.75 from a station machine.

"NYC & Company" Visitor's Bureau - Has lots of links and info.

HopStop.com - Subway and Bus directions. This is great! You can type in "FIT" (where the Dolpa is being held) and the address of hotels and see about how far away they are and how complicated travel will be!

Sorry for the long post.

 

Don't worry Flying is very safe. Just chant to yourself "flying is 34 times safer than driving" !

 

I'm glad I know someone in New Jersey who knows how to get around NY!
I was just there. The subways aren't as bad as you would think, tho I did get pink eye! I was just in manhattan tho!

 

I've officially got rail tickets to go now so when it gets closer to Dolpa time (April's when I'm probably going to start freaking out) I'll be bothering everyone and their brother on here for Penn Station info.

I've never traveled by train before... I'm so excited!

 

I'm just going to catch a train this year as last year I drove and it was a disaster! People drive crazy in New York and parking is so darn expensive! So I'm looking forward to Amtrak - though I'm not sure how to get anywhere from the train station.

 

Together on the trains!!! the HopStop.com site pastelflower linked to looks to be a god send. I didn't even have to know the address, just typed in the names of the places and it told me everything. Try it! It's brilliant!

 

Looks like another customer survey is up on the site:
http://site.volksusa.com/html/2007/dolls_party_ny_2/customer_survey/
-----------------------

That's from the announcement thread--I just had to post it here because... Oh. My. God. Sweet Dreams School A?????? OMG...

 

Sweet Dream School A !

Forgive me for sounding un-smart, but what's the difference between the "Face Makeup" and "Pastel Makeup" workshops?

 

I would think Pastel Workshop is a body blushing class. Just a guess. I hope that we don't have only one school head to choose from, although I guess the only one I wouldn't love would be "B".

 

That was my guess too. Thanks ^__^

 

If the Pastel Workshop is like the Pastel Makeup class they have at Tenshi no Sato, it is teaching you how to apply pastels for the faceup. It teaches you blushing around the eyes, cheeks, etc and also blushing for the eyebrows, as well as teaching you how to "draw" eyebrows on with pastels and do the lips with pastels a la some of the LEs.
I took the Pastel Makeup class at Sato, is the only reason why I know. I assume the "Face Makeup" in comparison would be how to do faceups with paints rather than pastels.

 

I don't think they're going to limit us to 1 head to choose from, but they're likely to try to figure out a proportion of which heads to bring. If they're doing a makeup class of 20, I don't think they'd want to import 80 heads o_O (Just a guess, though!!)

 

I picked the regular School A head. I already have one, but I'd LOVE one to paint on! I could experiment with him all I wanted to and wouldn't have to worry about ruining him! I think the Sweet Dreams School A looks harder to paint than the regular one, too.

There are several Sweet Dream A's on Y!J auctions right now. School A Heads

 

Thanks for the link. I hadn't seen the Sweet Dreams A head and now that I have... well, it's at the top of my list.
Nancy

 

Oh wow...! Dreaming A! Knock me out! ;; It would probably creep Kaiya out to have an unconscious version of himself around the house, so I should probably go for the C instead. It's the only one I'm missing now anyway.

Thanks to Cassiel for the finepoint distinction on Pastel vs Paint makeup classes. I admit, at first I tried to check the radio-buttons for ALL of those classes. ^^ How to decide! They all sound wonderful.

New question: What can anyone tell me about the dolly-Doctor? Do you have to sign up for that in advance too, like a class? Do they see only a limited number of patients? I imagine it could be a mob scene otherwise.

 

Wow! I wasn't expecting Dreaming School A to be an option of any sort at this event. Just being on the survey is great news!

 

Yes, sign up for the dolly doctor as soon as you get to the tea party, or as soon as they announce it! I've done it twice, and there is a waiting list every time - they will give you a number and will actually look for you / announce when your number is up. At the FIT hall, it was easier for them to find you as it was just one big room rather than many rooms and an outdoor area. Also, was easier to see the work being done as it wasnt secluded away in another room... They might do it for both days at the NY event too....Alex

 

Maybe the survey is sos they know what amount of heads and what type of supplies to bring?

 

Thanks a bunch for clearing that up ^_^

I chose Sweet Dreams School A (I completely fell in love with it)

I really shouldn't be getting so excited so soon XD

 

I guess I am one of the few that loves School Head B. But it is such a cute head!

 

I chose the Dreaming School A too! I don't know if I'll even be able to afford the painting class, but I'd love to have an optional head for my regular School A Michael.

 

Hi everyone! My friend & I hope to do a bit of siteseeing while we're in NYC, so he asked if I had any clue as to how much time would be taken up by the events of the Dolpa, So I thought I'd throw that question to the board - anyone have any idea of the time frame of the events @ the Dolpa? And any other doll-type things that are going on? Thanks!

Morgan

 

Just a question will they tell us how and went to pay for the make up event? It's my first time going to a Volks event so I don't really know what to expect...

 

You're not alone arylon. I chose school b as well.

 

School B can be stunning. Moroq painted this sweetie recently: http://www.brighnasa.com/subdomains/kaze/SchoolB.jpg

 

Well after everything I went through this week, I decided that my husband and I are definitely going to NYC for this thing. I will probably be exhausted, because it's the week after Dollectable, but I think I'll survive. There will be time to sleep when I'm dead, right? Right?

 

I hope to be able to hang out with some of you nice peoples the first day of the event! I'll be there alone, since my friend is only able to attend the second day.. I'm quite shy and have never travelled to the US before, so I'm really nervous!

 

I hope they offer the face or pastel class - either one sounds intriguing to me! I sort of want a Sweet Dreams School Head A so Zan can have a sleepy head.

 

The third survey is up ^_^

http://site.volksusa.com/html/2007/dolls_party_ny_2/customer_survey/

 

Awesome, Thanks for Posting^^!!!! I really have to keep my Eye on that thing FAIRY TALE Everybody Pick FAIRY TALE
~Anthony