Los Angeles Dolpa Thread (Nov. 24 & 25th)

rkold-
You are very correct.
Humm who mentioned 500? I must have missed that one.

Sorry to confuse, I didnt mean it in a sense that it was Volks own personal jumbo jet! lol
But I was told japanese vendors and Volks staff would be on the same jumbo, japanese fans were to travel on their own.

You also have to take into account Volks is renting this venue out for the event, which is quite large. Personally I do not think the event price is that bad. Especially comparing other convention prices, like mentioned before.

It's the plane tickets thats the killer.

Well, lets hope they may change the date or something, because it seems they wont have much of an attendance this time around!

*Jen

 

I was devastated to hear that this is during the Thanksgiving holiday. I had really been planning on going to this Dolpa since I had to miss the NY one. LAX will be a nightmare. I can just imagine the crowds, the delays, the lost luggage.... Not to mention that this would absolutely ruin my family's holiday plans and those of my best friend who wanted to go with me. And oh god, the airfare!

SaibySai, what do you mean the hotel is already sold out? I don't see anything wrong when I click through the dates on the hotel's website.

I wish they'd give some details about the FCS also, since it isn't mentioned on the site yet. Whether or not they have sunlight skin is a big factor for me.

Oh man, this sucks so much. I probably can't go now. :'(

edit: I also don't like the fact that the "companion" is not allowed to do the makeup class or buy Dolpa items. That's ridiculous! Why would a companion even want to go if they were totally left out of the most important parts of the event?

 

HF - Maybe they think most people will come on their own and companion would be a parent with an underage child or a small child of a parent who loves BJDs.

 

Oh dear, that could be a problem if the child isn't allowed in the makeup class and has to wait outside and gets lost! O.O

I am mostly worried about my friend. She's not a Volks member so she would be my companion, but I know she wants the makeup class and she wants to buy things. I suppose if we went she'd have to get a membership and register separately, but if we both got in, wouldn't that make one less space for someone else to register? And what if only one of us got in? The mind boggles! I really hope they don't leave anyone out like that.

 

Ohhh!! I so wish I could go!! It would be so lovely to meet the vendors and Japanese fans! It'd be like a "real" Dolpa!

I'm afraid I'll have to miss out on it, but I'm looking forward to more information, and hearing from everyone once they get back!

 

Exactly. There are quite a few conventions that 60 dollars is the standard, though usually it's for a longer event. Probably due to compare what was included in the NY one versus the LA one...

Just to be clear...meant that we'd booked our room, not that it was sold out. I fixed it just to be safe and not confuse anybody else. My bad!

Perhaps, but they did NOT say that a companion could not try for one-offs, bid in the Charity auction, attend the dinner, buy non-limited items in the Dolpa market, or participate in bingo, if it happens.

Can anyone from the NY event clarify on that part?

 

No, I agree, I think the $60 charge is absolutely and completely reasonable. Between the fact that the space probably costs money as well as the fact that they're serving and actual dinner I don't see anything wrong with it.

They told me in March that the fans and the vendors and the staff they'd hoped would all travel together. ^^;

A Tokyo Dolpa has around 700+ vendors. Doll Show is currently up to around 350+ vendors. I just really have a hard time seeing even with free air fare and free accommodation there being even close to that many Japanese dealers just because dealers must have things to sell and must be able to get time off from work. Even with Friday being a holiday in Japan, they would need to miss 2 days of work (Monday the day they would fly back to Japan and Tuesday the day they would arrive back in Japan) Japan is not like the US and taking vacation time, especially two days together like that is frowned upon. There are hobbyists who would come anyway, I know of at least one Japanese kimono maker who will be thrilled to try and attend this event, but I just don't see them getting enough vendors to agree to come close to filling up a plane.

And I guess until I see it in black and white, I'm not really sure Volks is paying for vendors airfare. It would really add up very fast if they were.

I do think they are hoping to see some of our own homegrown talent though and perhaps are not charging for rental of spaces at the Dolpa.

I think one reason Volks rented so much space is so that they could have some area for vendors at all, as well as have more guests than at the NY Dolpa. Speaking as a volunteer, I remember at one point we realized we were at least 3 tables short of seats and we had to find a way to space them in, while not overcrowding people. We also had to break down after certain events to make room for seats for others. Depending on how Volks chose to run say the painting classes different amounts of space are required.

The painting classes offered in NY were more like the classes offered at Tenshi no Sato and the Sumika in Harajuku. More individual attention and time. The impression I've gotten (though I've not attended) the painting classes at a Dolpa are more lecture and less hands on. Yes, you get to buy your School head, but you don't paint it there.

I don't know if the LA Dolpa will be more in the vein of the NY Dolpa or a Japanese one.

A few people have mentioned FCS, at Japanese Dolpas FCS is not offered. Whether the LA ones follows suit with the NY one and has it is also still up in the air.

I do think the event will be lots of fun for those attending. They'll have a chance to meet other owners, hopefully some from Japan as well as just those they've only known from on line. I'm sure there will be some sort of exclusive doll as well as some exclusive outfits and there will be some sort of dealer's room. But I admit, I think it will be 20-50 Japanese vendors at best. ^^;;; If someone's goal is to experience a Japanese Dolpa and shop from Japanese vendors, then they might well do better to save to go to Japan.

 

Wow, Hilton LAX of all places... I guess that saves money for the dealers. O_o

Thanksgiving weekend, poo~ Better book those rooms. =/

 

I wonder if the workers of the Hilton will still be on strike. I think theyve been on strike since...forever.

And I wonder how the Japanese will take it when they see picketers still in front of the Hilton.

 

It just seems like a high price for a dinner and entry to a sales market that will be free to the public later in the day, and this would be the case and your options if you are the companion. If you dont want to take a class(because you've taken one before or don't want to pay an additional fee) or do the beauty salon, theres no additional free seminar or talk to attend. And of course, theres no guarantee of winning any prizes either .
I'm hoping that there will be some other incentive or activity that will come with the registration! Exclusives to registrants only I'm hoping! Alex

 

Oh my. Thats uber sex! @_@ The date isn't HORRIBLE but it means my dad won't be able to take me. Which means WE need to ORGANIZE CARPOOLING. Either that, or I'm taking the bus.

 

Do not forget that NY Dolpa is not a Volks run event solely. FDQ helps sponsor the event and most likely defrayed some of the costs to keep the fees low. Also they didn't need the rental space for the marketplace in NY so that didn't have to figure into the costs.

 

Can anyone who attended the makeup class at the NY Dolpa confirm this? Not being able to paint your head would be a major bummer. What with the bodies for sale and all, I was expecting to be coming home with a new complete doll that I painted myself. :-/

 

We painted our heads at the NY Dolpa (although not everyone had time to finish theirs.) Each artist was in charge of about two and a half tables of 6 - they would call the students up, demonstrate some techniques, then send us back to our tables to try them.

 

Why are they going to have the event Thanksgiving weekend!? I really want to go there, but I don't think I can make it Thanksgiving weekend...

 

The Hilton @ LAX isn't unionized last time I remembered. Other Hiltons like in Anaheim and Long Beach are union based.

 

If for some reason the Hilton sells out, the LAX Marriott is another option about a block away. They will be hosting LosCon, but last I remember even with Thanksgiving and the convention they still had some rooms.

Plus, there will be a fair amount of people there who won't blink much of an eye at a bunch of people with dolls. Many of them are used to seeing dolls show up.

One thing that you might want to keep in mind, however: eating options might be a bit low, especially in walking distance. There is a Denny's, but it's not quite close enough to walk to, particularly at night (the area near it has some um..colorful aspects!). If you're carpooling, a trip to the store to get some in-room groceries will not be a bad thing if you don't have transportation.

I'll see if I can find my list of restaraunt/delivery/other type places that I had from the last time I went to LosCon. That might be kind of helpful, as it has some good stuff..

 

Thank you so much! I haden't thought about food!

 

I hope we can go to this one, too. ;o; 2 Dolpas a year may be to expensive for us...
Still, though! I hope it's possivle for us. I'd hate to miss out on this! Dealers~

 

Rkold, at the Halloween party, they said that they were bring a big "jumbo jet" filled with Japanese vendors (although some heard vendors and guests). Since Sumomo heard the same thing at a DIFFERENT event, then I would assume that they meant it in some regard.

I'm sure that the venue was the big cost and that's why they had to increase their prices. At New York, they rent out that little room, but get a huge discount (I surmise) because Pat from FDQ works there. Knowing how much Dollectable cost in the end, and how much bigger they anticipate this being, I could see how they would increase their price. Especially for a dinner party to be attached to it. Hotel catering is WILDLY expensive, and they don't allow you to bring in your own catering. I think you would have to put on a similar event to truly know how much these things cost.

 

There's also a Carl's Jr. and a Subway in the area. I think I have a map of dining/take-out locations somewhere from last year's PMX.

 

Even though I'd resigned myself to not going, I decided to check Orbitz for fares from BOS -> LAX, but even doing that just felt dirty! The prospect of disgustingly long lines, of cranky passengers, of delayed flights, of people who don't travel often enough being amazed at the number of things that you can't bring onto a plane despite it being covered often enough on the news and in casual conversation STILL bringing all kinds of dumb things to security and thus holding up the lines... oh, it just doesn't feel right! I know that Logan is going to be a clusterfork. I'd also feel bad about (once again!) dropping a lot of cash on a doll for myself when I know that I have presents to buy for people. Guess I'll discuss this with my (brand new!) husband - we haven't made plans for our honeymoon, so maybe I can convince him that a little vacation in California is just what we need.

 

I know there is a Burger King on Airport Blvd down about a block from the Marriot. If you have a car, Manhattan Beach is five minutes from the airport has some nicer restaurants.

 

Not to be argumentive, really!, but I think Volks should then consider charging admission to the afternoon session of the marketplace to make some money back on the cost of the hotel(?) hall. There will be potentially many drop-ins and attendees who won't want to be part of the dinner so won't pay the price of the entire weekend registration.
Yes, hotel catering is expensive, but I'm going to make a guess too that it won't be a sit-down dinner but a buffet which may bring the costs down. I've helped in planning a wedding banquet and a corporate function dinner, both at hotels, in my past.....Alex

 

I fear the beautiful tall boy one-offs! If they have an SD17 anybody, I am toast... arrgh, and please don't tempt me with Williamses or Tony twins or extra special Tsukasas, and for the love of everything, don't let me buy any more Shiros... ;;

So, one-offs notwithstanding, I'm in! Cheers to Volks for finally scheduling an LA event on a weekend when I don't have to do anything. ^^ This time around, I hope to get into other classes I haven't gotten to try yet, like photography & makeup enhancement.

This hotel business seems a little dodgy as yet, though. At these Hilton prices, I'd rather wait to hear if Volks has gotten a convention-rate for the rooms. (I really hope they agree that they'd be nuts not to.) But if things are gonna sell out before September can even get here, then I'd feel safer NOT waiting. Hrm. And then there's the organized-labor issues to consider... spending two hundred bucks a night to duck guiltily past picket-lines is not my idea of fun. I hope things get a little clearer soon!

 

thanksgiving is a pretty tough weekend to have it. im hoping ill be able to make it though

 

I'm fine with that weekend. We always spend it in town. We usually host at our house or our friends have it at their house in Culver City. Either way, I'll be around.

I was a buyer for several years at two different large chain stores and I never had to work that weekend. I hope you get it off!

The strike does sort of concern me, but hopefully that will be resolved by then, though I am not holding my breath.

 

I was really hoping to go, but now I may not be able to because NW is blocking out those dates so we cannot redem our miles. This totally sucks. Tickets for us are going to be over $900.00 for 2 round trip for that weekend if we can't redem our miles. Guess I will have to miss this one.

 

I don't really like the idea of flying on Thanksgiving weekend, I don't know if I’ll go.
Oh decisions , decisions…..


Geri

 

Lovely Mods, would it be possible to either merge the 2 big LA Dolpa threads or else lock them both down and start a new one?

My head is spinning keeping up with both of them!

Just a thought

 

Seconded! My in box is full of notices for each thread

 

Ok, the threads have been merged! Carry on!

 

Thank you!

 

I'm definitely going! Luckily, I'm in the Los Angeles area during Thanksgiving weekend. I don't necessarily agree with the date, but I tend to do more shopping on Black Friday. I'll also be coming back from New York that week as well.

At least the registration fee includes food. I can't complain.

 

Anyone have any idea if the Japanese vendors would do room sales like at a U.S. convention?
I'm trying to decide if I want to stay at the Hilton, or if I want to look for a cheaper hotel (if it exists).

 

Mewwww. So, just to make sure you get a Volks membership by ordering off the US website?

Cos, I've been looking at some eyes, and even if I don't make it to Dolpa, I would still like some eyes.

 

Oh god, don't say that, you're scaring me! "Lalala, don't want to think about it, lalala..."

And brand new husband, you say?? Congratulations!!! He hasn't taken you on your honeymoon yet?! Then he at least owes you a limited!! *wink wink, nudge nudge*

I really really really want to go... but I'm planning to get a FCS this summer, and I don't know if with plane tickets and hotel fares... hmmmm....... I wonder if it's more hassle than it's worth? I know I'll regret it if I go... but will I regret it more if I don't?

Are there any of the NY/tristate crowd that want to go? Maybe we can all go together, and room together? I really really really don't want to travel alone(I'm such a big baby)

 

I am really unsure about going. It's on a holiday and getting a room is impossible with my budget. Is it true the rooms are already booked for those two days? Will there be a lottery?

 

Illegal? I didn't know that.
I'll see if I can find a native to give me some recommendations then.

Thanks for the info.

 

I'm so excited for this event. SOOO LONG AWAY

 

So.. a membership question, to see who might know..

My fiance' and i signed up for membership at the same time on the same card number when we got Chiara, our Kun, and are technically listed under the same membership number. As far as I know, that should make us OK for being 'primary' registrations for the LA event, and thus able to get a companion each. However, I'm not entirely sure.

I'm going to call the store Saturday to confirm this is OK, but if someone knows for sure about how that might work before the weekend, I would not complain at all . The alternative I could do is see if the store is willing to send either myself or D a new card/member # and make us separate for the sake of ease for events. Maybe if I bring up that her transaction temporarily 'broke' the register the second week that the store was open they'll remember us....

 

I'd love to go to this, but am feeling overwhelmed by the travel cost and holiday travel issues. I am such a homebody that this would be only the 2nd trip in about 25 years for me!! To do so on the most crowded weekend of the year may just fry my brain. I looked in to the train thinking that would be less stressful and was amazed it takes over 33 hours to get from Olympia to LA (if it runs on time which evidently is rare). We'd have to allow extra days for travel. To get train tickets where the seat folds into a bed gets ridiculously expensive. Anyone have a longish train trip recently? Is it worth the extra $ to be able to lie down in a private space? I may have made an error on their website, but it looked like a round trip ticket for 2 to LA would be over $900 if we also want a private toilet!! instead of one for about 25 passengers. I may have to re-address my fear of flying....

 

sheri- i took the train down to dollectable and then i went down to LA for a few days and took the train back to portland. the train was a couple of hours behind both ways. I would recommend the sleeper car. We didn't have it on the way down but decided to get one on the way back and it was worth the extra money. your meals are also included with the sleeper car as well (and you can bring your own alcohol on board as well), you also get a little movie player access to showers too, free snacks and water, and a wine tasting session.

 

I don't have any particular fear of flying, and I'm well-traveled, but yeah. This particular weekend gives me major pause. I always avoid "crowd functions". I've always traveled off-season and so forth. So I think I'm probably going to bow out of this one. I too looked into train travel, but was appalled by the amount of time it took. I looked into bus travel as well. Surprisingly the amount of time en route is the same! When we drive to San Diego from Seattle we do a marathon speed jaunt that gets us there in 18 hours (and that's bad enough). I can't imagine sitting in a bus or train for 36 hours.
The train also has obnoxious TV screens in your face, too. At least the bus doesn't have that.

Raven

 

I'll be in NY by the time LA Dolpa rolls around, but my mom is adamant against me going because I need to be back in time for classes on Monday The flight I'm thinking about taking back is around 9pm Sunday, and I'd arrive back in NY around 5:40am Monday Personally I think that's fine since my first class is at 9am... but parents.

She's mostly concerned about me traveling alone though, so if we do manage to get a group together I can probably go!

 

Just so you know, you might want to look at Kayak.com for your airfare as they search the cheapest tickets on all of the carriers. (Cheaptickets and Expedia only check a few) so you could probably find a better deal.

Also, keep in mind that there are other airports in the SoCal area and Super Shuttle charges something like $17-20 to take you where you need to go. So maybe look into Burbank, Long Beach, John Wayne, or Ontario airports to see if you might be able to book a cheaper flight. LAX is kind of a hassle at any time of the year, so I can imagine that thanksgiving won't be any better.

 

Heheh... Good point--LAX is awful almost any time at all, so Thanksgiving might not be that much more terrible... And surprisingly, some hotels are fairly empty on Thanksgiving. I think it's mostly a family holiday, so most people are put up at home, rather than in hotels. Also--Most people will be traveling to be somewhere on Wednesday before Thanksgiving-- so if you're traveling after that, it may not be so bad on the way there. Going back on Sunday evening could be tough, though--but if you can get a seat on a plane, it shouldn't be that bad. Driving could be tough, but again, people will be leaving at various hours, so it might not be that bad...

I think it's mostly tough for the people who usually make family plans for that holiday. Although, again, Thanksgiving is on the Thursday... so if you're mostly doing something for that day only, it could be possible to get away for the weekend. And good thing is that most people have the Friday off, which can be used as a travel day.

The other airports Lizzegirle mentions are good alternatives.

 

I've been looking up air fare and can't find anything for less then $230 unless I leave on Monday instead of Sunday.. which means another night of hotel which effectively makes the flight difference not worth it.

I honestly don't know if I'm going to bother, the stress of flying that weekend plus the nearly doubled price of air fare is making me have second thoughts.

 

MyMel0dy and I booked flight last night via SWA, and got $193 round trip from Oakland to LAX. $49 down and $124 back. Friday to Sunday. That was the cheapest I had found without leaving Sunday at 630 AM. Friday was wide open for fares, but coming back Sunday and Monday is nearly sold out.

 

I would definitely recommend that people check rates for the Long Beach and Burbank airports. I've flown in and out of LA 4 times now and have never used LAX. Same for my family.

 

I'd recommend the better option on train travel for long trips. After a while, you're like ewww, but you have no choice. Plus you always feel like you need to rush when washing up. Last time I traveled by train was in 2004 from Chicago to LA.

When you consider the cost of train travel versus by car, take into account how much hotel rooms would be a night, how much meals would cost you, gas and wear and tear on your car (you can use the IRS's expense report standard mileage fee of 48.5 cents to figure that out). By car or by train is going to be a longer trip for those living far away.

 

Thanks for the tip! I checked SWA and found the same thing. Guess I'll have to book soon as due to work I'm going to have to leave Sunday night.

 

Oh god, I don't know if it's been mentioned in this thread yet, (I don't want to wade through 15 pages right now to check) but, Volks emailed me back. I had a question about FCS and they said:

"As for the FCS, we are very sorry to say that FCS is not
included in the feature of this event."

Oh. Man. That was pretty much THE REASON why I wanted to go to the Dolpa, along with the makeup class. I feel less bad about not being able to go now. Well, a little bit less bad....

 

Well, I wonder if that means the store in Torrance will be open for FCS business? That helps me to focus funds on a Limited, or OOAK, if there is nothing "special" to be offered for the FCS service during the Dolpa. It looks like the Sunlight tone will be offered from time to time, and none of the Sato Faces I want are sold at Tenshi yet. So, I will hold off on the FCS for now.

 

I fly into Burbank when I visit friends in the LA area, haven't done LB in AGES.... However, for the time/money/gas etc you will spend getting across LA for the Con, I would rather not have to rent a car, and just fly to LAX then shuttle to and from the Hotel.

 

I'm thankful I just have to drum up money for the dollpa itself I live in LA so I'll be with Rillystar. I'd be open to some limited rides to food places and hotels for a barter (clothes, food, gas)?

 

They closed the Torrance store during NY dolpa. They may have staff at the dolpa not taking FCS orders. I'd imagine they would need the whole staff helping at the dolpa with the LA one being larger than NY

 

I think this is extremely unlikely since they've closed the store during each event they've had so far. Volks probably needs all their staff at the Dolpa. I doubt they'd want people leaving the Dolpa to go to the store anyway.

edit: Ahaha, AreeElf, you beat me!

I'm sad, I was expecting FCS at this event and I'm sure lots of other people were too. If I were going, it would have been the only chance I'll ever have to do FCS because I'm certainly not going to be able to fly to LA anytime in the future when the store is open. What a major bummer.