Dolpa3 NYC co-hosted by FDQ - Discussion Thread

I'm so excited, hopefully I will be able to go! I know for sure the 6th is a no, I have school... Anyway, I hope to be able to see everyone again!

I wonder what the limited will be *starts saving*

 

I also hope there will be so Yo and MSD one-offs too! Then maybe I'll actually have a chance to afford to go for one!

 

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FCS for meeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited, and it's on my Number one son's B-day. He's going to kill me.
Don't worry all you Volks cardless people, you can always go as a guest.
So excited!!!!!!!!!!!

 

For anyone with questions about the necessary Volks membership or their cards, here is information directly copied from the FAQ of the Volks USA website:

How do I get a VOLKS Membership?

Membership cards are given to:

Customers who order or have ordered at the VOLKS USA Website.
Customers who register or have registered at Tenshi no Sumika in L.A.
Customers who have registered in the “SD Owners Club USA Registration” at the Volks Japan International Website. (Registration is now closed.)

What are the terms and conditions of VOLKS Membership?

The Volks Membership card is only valid for the person whose name is on the card.
In the event that we have any members only events your card will be asked for upon entry.
If you need your card reissued we will ask for a $5 replacement and handling fee.
This card does not afford you any special discounts or privileges unless otherwise specified in either this outline, or at any given time.
All information collected by Volks Group will only be used for our personal business reasons and will never be sold or given to any third parties.

 

I wish that I could go to Dolpa 3 NYC, but I have other important things that I need to focus on... like getting a summer job and saving money to help pay for my wedding. @__@

 

I wonder if I can scrounge up enough for an FCS? I've always wanted to!!! I'm definitely bringing my Nagisa with me this time, she missed the last Dolpa.

 

I've written to Volks to re-confirm the dates, I also thought it was strange that the event's on Fri-Sat. Will let you know as soon as I hear anything.
-Am

 

KeiCai_Ayan: Yay! I'm so glad you want to go with me! I've always wanted to go to the NYC Sanrio store!

Kaighn: Hi Kaighn!! I just looked it up and the NYC Sanrio store's address is

SANRIO
TIMES SQUARE
233 WEST 42ND STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10036
Phone #: 212-840-6011

There's a big Hello Kitty outside, so you'll know it when you see it. I hope you can come with us to share in the cuteness!

AreeElf: Yes, I heard that the Sanrio store isn't very big, but I just can't resist the chance to surround myself with Sanrio cuteness!! I think Japan has a secret formula for cute. Oh, I can't wait to see Aree-chan!!! She's so lovely. We must get a picture of her with my girls!

nakitama: Naki-chan! I can't wait to see you there!! You simply must bring Jorie so I can take a picture of him with my girls! He was the first SD (or MSD) I ever held. And you must come to the Sanrio store with us! What could be better then being surrounded by Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Charmmy Kitty, Pandapple, Pankunchi, and maybe even Lloromannic! Can you tell I love Sanrio?

Bell: You must come to the Dolpa!! It's such a wonderful experience, and so much fun!! Going to the Sanrio store with everyone will be great too! Anthony's dolls really are gorgeous. You won't be dissapointed!

wickedstitchery: I was so happy when you won your adorable Sei Tenshi! I hope you get another beautiful doll this time around! Wish me luck in getting my own baby angel!

sumomo123: Yay! I can't wait to see you there again!! You and your dolls were so kawaii!! I'm with you! More cute anime-styled girls for all!! If I save up enough money, I might order an FCS white-skin Rio while I'm there! I'm so excited!

chiquitita: I can't wait to see you there!! Will you be bringing Tsukiko? She's so lovely! I must get a picture of her with my girls!

Stella Maris: Yay!! Hopefully FCS for the both of us!! I can't wait to see you and your lovely dolls again!

 

Yay!! I've always wanted to see an adorable Nagisa in person!! You must bring her!!

 

OOhh Cammy I want to see your Virginie too, SwD Nono is beautiful and I've never seen a Volks SwD doll irl before^^

Is everyone planning on staying at the Gershwin again? Last month I stayed at Broadway hostel and it was kinda cool, but I wonder if the Gershwin is closer....I don't quite know my way around nyc^^;

 

Cammy: I just mentioned the sanrio store was small so you don't get disappointed. Since I grew up with sanrio stuff I'm used to the giftgate stores they have in Asia. The sanrio store is about the same size as some stores in Chinatown that sells sanrio stuff with the exception that they also sell some Japan exclusives. Lately though the stock isn't as awe inspiring as some boutiques in Chinatown.

StellaMaris: I hope you can get your FCS this year. I hope they do sunlight skin again.

Nakitama: Do bring Jorie maybe by then I can have my F04 put together too.

I really hope this year I get to meet more people in person.

 

I really hope that they would do Sunlight FCS.....
I want a sunlight f16 to be the last to join my resin family. Since he will be the youngest, he is going to get spoiled.

If the dates are correct, I will be flying red eye out on Thursday and fly back on Sunday; if I do save enough to go.

 

Cammy: I'm also going to agree with AreeElf in that the Sanrio store is not very big. it's actually quite tiny. I'm not saying it's not worth ever going, but don't expect something bigger than anything you'll find in Chinatown.

I'll order something off VolksUSA to get a card. I'd go as a guest, but I seriously don't want to miss out on any Classes or Workshops. to me, that'd be the whole point of going. that and entering the lotteries. *___* I'd be like, sooo happy to win something like a Rei-tenshi or Sei-tenshi. of course, I probably won't, but it'd still rock.

and yeah, guys, just repeating this, but don't bring dolls that are not Volks. they don't like that at all when people bring other brands. it's a Volks party, not a normal meet.

 

Oh, don't worry! Both my girls will be there! I'm going to try to have a beautiful dress made for Virginie to wear at the Dolpa. I want my girls to look their best at their first event!

I remember going to Chinatown a looong time ago. It was lots of fun! We have a few stores around here that sell some Sanrio stuff, but I can't wait to be in a store that sells all Sanrio stuff!! Knowing me, I'll probably buy every stuffed animal there!

 

Thanks for letting me know! I heard from a few friends that it was kind of small, but that's ok. As long as I find some adorable things, I'm good. I hope I can go to Chinatown again someday. I remember seeing an "American Food" resturant sign there. That cracked me up.

 

ok, so for those of you that have gone before I have a few noob questions lol
1) About how much does it cost for registration, getting in etc...?? I know dolly will cost extra but if I go I will make sure to save a chunk of money just for another resin kid
2) What is to be expected at this type of event? what kind of things go on there, how are the crowds?
(ok thats all I can think of to ask now)

 

Personally, I was disappointed in the new Kinokuniya. ^^; It's not necessarily larger so much as the space is more open? I thought there was a lot fewer Japanese manga for sale but a lot more English manga. It's a little closer to FIT now and located between, I believe, 42nd and 43rd on Avenue of the Americas.

BTW Paperbot since the event is co-sponsored by FDQ, in the past having a subscription to FDQ also allowed one to apply for attendance. (Plus you get FDQ!)

I hope we get lots of fun 80's music again. :P

 

I dunno if this cost would remain the same for Dolpa3 NYC, but this gives you an idea. Registration for Dolpa LA was $60 per person. Getting into classes cost $40 dollars, $80 if you want the kits that they provide. Getting a school head $163, tax not included.

From my past experiences with the tea parties and Dolpas, it's more like an event to purchase limited and standard goods as well as a gathering of fans. You can apply for classes if Volks provide them, get your dollfie fixed up, be chosen to do the welcoming ceremony and do the FCS. There may be lines, but it usually doesn't affect the outcome of getting most of the items that you want, due to the concentration of fans is not as big as a comic or anime convention.

 

Well, I won't be there. My friend decided he has to get married Jun 7.

 

All of this talk of excitement and meeting the folks of Volks just has me tittering with my own excitement! The thought of getting to meet Mr. Shigeta is too awesome for words. I hope, even if I don't win anything, I'll still get a chance to shake his hand.

 

i really hope i get to go again. last year's was fun, and it's in nyc- can't ask for a better location. this year i need to stay on top of things. i missed the deadline to register last year and this year i'd love to get a school head (i think they all have their charm) and do one of the workshops. ideally, i'd love to have saved enough money to take someone home

 

Oh, meeting Mr. Shigeta was wonderful!! He's so kind and gracious. When I first saw him, I was really excited and forgot he didn't speak English, and when I started babbling he smiled and gently explained "I cannot speak English". I was a little embarrassed, but he was very kind and let me have my picture taken with him. He even let me hug him at the end of the Dolpa!

Even his daughter Mikey was very kind to me. When I put the card I had brought for Sarah's family on the table, my emotions got the better of me and I began to cry. Mikey came over and gave me a hug, saying "Please don't cry. You make me cry too." It was really sweet of her and I was able to stop crying.

I can't wait to see the Shigetas again, not to mention all of the Volks artists! Please, please, please let Ciera be there!!!

 

This all sounds so exciting. I could kick myself for missing out on last year...but...I had decided to go go dollectable...this time its all about the east coast baby!!

If I won a new dolly at the event...I think I just might pass out...expecially if its a sei tenshi or something....if its a one off I may panic and hope I have the money. XD

 

I'm definitely going! I'm glad it's around the same time as last year - I was afraid it would be later and would conflict with a family vacation!

 

I would love to make plans now but....

For NYC Dolpa 2.....didn't the initial dates start out as a Friday and Saturday....then change to Saturday and Sunday? I seem to remember some people posting they would already be leaving and miss some or all of the Sunday main dinner event.

Am I remembering wrong?
.

 

Thanks, It really does sound like fun

 

it seems like my graduation is on May 31st, so it's friggin awesome that I could at least make the second day. My dad has work on Friday and I don't know if I know anyone in New York during that time.

 

Oh I'm definitely going to be there. I had such a blast last year that I couldn't possibly miss it! =D

*starts to dig through the couch cushions.*

 

Wow! This looks like so much fun! ^^ I want to go, and now that I've found out the alley is closed for AMA *stupid people, only 18 artists... grumblegrumble* I might actually save up some money and go!

 

Can't wait to see you either, B! It will be great to get together with everyone!

Aree, I definately want to do FCS, and I do hope they do sunlight skin as it is the bomb. I wish they would offer some SATO heads, if not it's elves for me.

Cammy we are all looking forward to meeting your girl.

 

You pay your registration ahead of time and it is quite thrifty, like 20 bucks or something. Then if you want to take classes you pay for those separately. I felt that the classes were very well priced, especially for all the tools and materials that they gave out, and the quality of the instructors, ie. Valico and Mikey (!)
Last year on the first day you could either take or observe a class for the first half. The rest of the time was action packed although I don't recall the exact order of events.
There was FCS, food, lotteries for clothing and the Limited, one-off lotteries, costume contest, taking your doll to the Dolly Doctor, Bingo for the most amazing prizes (that was the first year I think we did another prize system last year, brain very foggy today) and I mean amazing, Zouk eyes (yay me), outfits, Sei and Rei Tenshi and actual SD and MSDs. Very cool. Don't worry you won't have a moment of boredom.

 

Oh, I can't wait to show off my girls!! I'm so bad at taking pictures, and the girls are so beautiful in person. I can't wait until June!!!

 

I'm planning on going to this one! I've missed all of the NYC dolpas so far and most of those in LA too. I want to be able to get limited outfits in person instead of fighting in the AE for them!

 

Yay! I'm glad you're going I'm trying convince Nando he wants to go too

 

For those of you going, or have been, what hotels do you reccomend? I've only been to NYC once...

 

Cammy- I can't wait to see you and your girls! I'm not sure who I will bring, but they must get a picture with your lovelies!

 

I'd also love any insights into this as the place we stayed last year was awful.

 

Where did you stay?

We were at the Gershwin, and our stay was fine but our room was so TINY. I'm sure all hotels in NY are tiny and expensive but it made me wish for a standard type hotel like a holiday inn

 

Last time, my sister and I stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton in Chelsea. It's a really nice place, and just .13 miles from the FIT! It's a little pricey, but so is everything in New York City. I wouldn't book yet until we get the official announcement from Volks, just incase the dates are a mistake.

Awww, I can't wait to see you and your girls too! Whoever you bring, they must certainly need a picture with the girls!

OT- Did you change Tsukiko's name to Giselle? It's such a pretty, delicate name. It's perfect for her!

 

I just checked out that hotel for the dates as it's something like $325/night! If I stayed Friday-Monday, that would be $1,532.00. That's an entire one-off! No, I think I'd rather stay in Jersey and take the train in or something.

I stayed in the same hotel that FireFlyTranc stayed in and it was something like $130/ night for a closet. Imagine my husband and I staying there for a week with all of our dolly stuff and all of our stuff! When I say closet, I actually mean closet! Something like a 8x8 room.

 

Actually, it's really not that hard to stay in various suburbs and commute in. I can't speak for NJ since I don't live there, but I know from the Westchester end of things it's quite easy. New Rochelle has a very large and relatively new Marriott which is less than 5 minutes walk to the New Rochelle train station. The Crowne Plaza in White Plains is maybe 1/2 to a mile from the White Plains Station.

Getting to NJ and its hotels is a real challenge unless you fly into Newark or have someone who is willing to drive you. The closest airports to NYC itself is LaGuardia. Other airports one can use are JFK, White Plains, and Stewart in Long Island. (and of course Newark) BTW for anyone taking Amtrak up, New Rochelle is a stop on the Boston to DC line.

 

Oh cool the day after my birthday and i live 3 hours away from NYC.. sweet..
Umm how do you get tickets and stuff for this??

 

Ugh, just trying to place is making my head spin... Lizzegirle? What was the name of the place that was $130 a night? I am finding stuff for $100 a night AND 16 miles away. I can live in a closet....

this is why Volks should do a Las Vegas Dolpa. Finding a hotel for whatever price you want to spend ($39 a night up to $16,000+ a night) is EASY! and Vegas is a grid-city with lots of transportation....

 

Rachel is absolutelyl right! FDQ subscribers are eligible to apply for attendance.

You can subscribe here:

https://www.securepay.com/easyshop/products.asp?id=22&cat=Orders in the US&mMerch_ID=36221

Thanks for pointing that out, Rachel!

 

I like the Gershwin but I hear people might try to find someplace else that's just as cheap to try something different. It's fun to try to go where other peeps are, to play.

We were hardly in our hotel room at all (I shared a room with lolly) so it didn't matter to us that it was small. It's clean and it's a funky, cool hotel where they don't mind if we totally take over and play in their lobby, which is always nice. Like I said... I like the Gershwin.

 

Perhaps if everyone wants to stay in the same hotel or at least if a lot of people do they could look into negotiating a better price my reserving a block. ^^;

I know I personally will be commuting in since I live outside NYC and it is just easier. Sailor Limabean depending on where that hotel 16 miles away is, it's possible it is near a commuter line and so you could just catch train or subway and get into NYC.

BTW Wicked, I'm not sure it has happened yet but Bloomberg I think wants to impose some sort of toll on people driving into midtown/lower NY.

 

Last month when I was in NYC I stayed at the Broadway Hostel...it's on 101 and Broadway, so I don't know how far that is from FIT. It was dorm style (six beds and a sink, not much else) but it was clean and only cost me $25 a night. They also had luggage lock-up for $2 a bag. It isn't luxurious by any means, but it works if you are traveling on a budget.

 

Yeah, the price for The Larchmont was good but the hotel was tiny and smelled bad, and was dirty, and the communal showers were frightening, not to mention they were constantly doing construction in the room next door to us

 

Wow, that place looks really nice Maybe if I found someone willing to share a room with us or we only stayed a few days. I'd like something more in the $250 and under range but I new NYC is high and finding something decent in that price range might not be possible.

 

I bought a little map and travel guide while in NY last year. According to it, the FIT is on 26th Street and 7th Avenue [which is 2 blocks west of Broadway]. Thats 75 blocks South.

But according to the map, there is a redline subway train on 103 and Broadway that leads to FIT.

 

I am so excited about Dolpa in NYC. This is going to be my first Dolpa. The last two years I have been away on vacation. But this year. I have blocked out these dates and refuse to go anywhere!!!

I am lucky...I live on 28th street on the Eastside. I can walk to FIT.

I am also excited to meet all the Tri-State gang. I will also have my first BJD then. Isabella arrives in April. (FCS SD13, F-05 mold). I hope they have new BTSSB outfits, but probably not since they had them last Nov. in LA. I want to take classes too. Actually, I want to do everything!!!!

I can't wait!!!!

 

I WONDER there are any beautiful sd lady would be released~><

 

I have some hotels near my apartment on 28th street between Lexington and 3rd. I will get the names and post them here. It might be cheaper if you get away form FIT and Madison Square Garden.

 

I'm gonna seriously try to get to NY. But the plane tickets alone from CA would be around 350, not counting hotel prices, and the dolpa prices. X_X

I'm thinking it would be cheaper to go to LA and get a FCS. T_T