Volks Dolls Party in LA 4 [7-8 Sept. 2019] (After Report is up!)

@c4tbus Thank you for your insight. I’d love to incorporate the SD sized masquerade mask for my dolls outfit that Volks gifted to tea party guests at the last LA Dolpa. There was a maroon style and teal style that I know of. My Oath of the silver coin book case had the teal/turquoise mask inside.

 

I was getting a romantic fairytale feeling from the website images, actually. Maybe not as much lace with Pink House, but for sure frills and flowers.

I keep thinking of outfits that would fit the theme.

 

@Nell that is such a tough struggle! they are both so cute! are you planning on entering for one of the girls as well?

i already entered for a companion ticket and angela, but was so tempted to get sophie’s outfit too! i just feel like those same funds will go so much farther in the sumika shop/dealers market !!!

 

Do we have a thread for people looking for roommates or to split taxi/Uber/Lyft costs? I realize that the room block is nearly, or already, sold out.

 

@Nell i honestly think that sophie’s dress is cuter than angela’s! i just prefer angela’s sculpt/wig .......
it also looks like sophie’s dress is sleeveless, which will make it easier to mix and match with other accessories!

anyways, i hope everyone who applies for the tea party gets in and we can all get our dolls/outfits!! so excited for more details on the theme so that i can start planning outfits for me and my partner, as well as outfits for our dolls!

@DemonMiko i think somebody on the volks sd discussion thread mentioned that too, but i don’t believe a roomshare/carpool thread has been made yet.

 

Excited about the event! I hope they release more information about the different dolls available, too bad all of them beside the pink house collaboration are gonna be lottery XD

 

I booked my hotel room about 2 weeks ago (I'm not staying in the Marriot, but near.) Entered for the Tea Party and a dress because even though the girls are cute, I'd so much more come home with a DearSD Nono!
Not sure when I should be booking my flight but I'm keeping a close eye on prices.

 

I'm not sure what to do first. We're moving right smack dab in the middle of the year from Hawaii to Maryland, so that throws a small wrench into my plans. I'm thinking put in the entry for the Tea Party and one of the Pink House girls... leaning heavily towards Angela, but I'm curious how either would look on an SD16 body. Their dresses are amazing.

If I book a hotel now, it'll likely be the Hilton Anaheim since it's still close and the prices are just a bit better, but if anyone else has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I've only been to this area once prior and it's been quite a few years. Seems like renting a car to get from LAX to wherever is also a good idea.

 

I think it just updated? It says the theme is "The Grand Ball".

 

Grand ball gives me the feeling that it's going to be The Rose of Versailles style, although that's just a feeling that those collaboration dolls are going to be there. オダリスク風ドレスセット | スーパードルフィー ベルサイユのばら - Super Dollfie®.net This outfit tho, if the theme is grand ball, I feel like the clothes for the one offs are going to be amazing.

 

Grand Ball does fit with the Rose of Versailles things.

If you look carefully at the background on the website with the tea party information, you can see chandeliers, a castle, and a coach there. Kind of screams fairytale and Cinderella at me but with roses.

Fancy dress it is.

 

Renting a car at LAX can be nightmarish!!! You may spend a few hours in line to pick up your car, even if you reserved it in advance and so forth. Budget was very bad for us, and I understand Hertz has some of the same issues. If you’re only planning to go from LAX to the hotel in Anaheim, it might be less stressful to use a cab or car service. IIRC there are some shuttles that travel from LAX to Disney, but I haven’t personally used one. Good luck!

I don’t think I’m going to make it to LA Dolpa this year But I hope everyone who goes takes lots of pictures! I’m also really excited to see that Volks is offering Paid Exchange. That’s so important!!! I’m really regretting not being able to attend, because I’d love to exchange my well-travelled Belle for a slightly less yellow version of herself (though I’d hate to lose her faceup!). I hope many people take advantage of the exchange services! I’d also love to see more sunlight skin dolls! (I forget the revamped name ) And DearSDs!

 

@DemonMiko i’m gonna be staying in the hilton too! i got my room for more than $50 a night cheaper than the mariott, which is helpful because my partner and i are gonna get there on thursday before the event for some pre-dolpa disney !

i also recommend not renting a car from lax. every time i have tried it ended in disaster, one time they even cancelled the reservation without any reason (or telling us before hand).

i recommend uber and lyft for getting around. it’s about $45-50 from the airport, then small amounts for wherever you need to go in town. there are some grocery stores and other amenities within a few miles of the convention center area, so depending on how much you need to go out n about, it can definitely be cheaper to just use rideshare services.

also, haven’t done this in a while, but i used to get on the $30 disney shuttles and say i was staying at the paradise pier hotel, then make the quick walk to whichever non disney hotel you are staying at. probably would be too difficult if traveling with a lot of dolls, but it works in a pinch.

also, if anyone is interested in a downtown disney or actual disneyland meetup on friday, i would love to grab food and hang out for a minute! hit me up if you are down !!!

 

Has any tried or put in for multiple Tea Party tickets? There's going to be three of us going so I was thinking of doing one pair ticket and one single ticket? Has anyone actually checked out doing something similar?

 

For those who don't want to rent a car, I suggest the shuttles! There were two I used in 2015; SuperShuttle and the Disney Shuttle. SuperShuttle rates are fantastic to leave but not to get back into LAX. It was about $20/person to Disneyland but about double to book for pick up.

https://dre.coachusa.com/ Disney Shuttle is probably the best because they have a bus stop at the Anaheim Marriot.
It's $48/person round trip and $30/person one way.
I didn't book it, I just hopped on and paid via CC to get back to LAX in 2015. Super spacious and tons of bag room for dolls.

 

Thanks for all the tips! I'm making a spreadsheet with all of the information, just in case. Keep the suggestions coming though!

It's been a while since I've been in LA, but the last few times I was there, it wasn't too bad to get a car. I would do just the shuttle, but I have family in the area that I might want to pop in and visit if I've got the time, so the car would offer a bit more flexibility. Just figured that if anyone flew in around the same time or leaves around the same time that we could share some of the rental or gas costs.

 

Depending on how far you're going and how often you plan on driving, Uber/Lyft might still be easier and cheaper after you take into account gas (was $4.25 or $4.50/gal this morning), parking, and rental costs. I live in LA and own a car, but I use Lyft a lot since it's usually cheaper than gas + parking when I need to go out.

edit: Just checked - it's currently $55 one-way from LAX to the hotel.

 

I can't get the link to work to register for the tea-party. It says 'click this link', then goes in a circle back to the website? I've tried and tried but get no-where. Same for the hotel - keeps saying 'you have multiple windows open' close and retry - and I DON'T have multiple windows open!! just the one!!

How did you all register????

 

I think I saw something in another Volks thread that the VolksUSA website is having trouble right now. It might not be allowing you to go to the webstore link to enter.

 

thanks DemonMiko - It's been doing that for me for three days I've been trying.... did anyone manage to register?

 

I didn't even notice it at first, but now there's a little message saying that the site is under maintenance. Luckily, there's still plenty of time to register before the deadline, lottery or no. Hopefully it won't come down to that and the website comes back up soon.

 

@elf-ears i managed to register on the evening of the 12th, around 10:00 pm eastern time.

 

On the main page of the store right now it says, "Sorry, currently under maintenance." if you look right below the image/links for the different web stores. That's probably why it isn't working.

edit: no idea why the other posts above didn't show up until after I posted...

 

Yep, I was thinking of you when I read about the repaint. This is such an opportunity to repaint Ephram and retain his original look and feel as closely as possible. You should try and find the headplate. However, I think you should write to Volks if it cannot be found. I am not sure why they need the headplate because they can authenticate the doll without the headplate.

My problem is greater, I cannot decide on repainting Anthony because his faceup is still good. However, I refuse to allow non company artists to repaint his face, I am resigned to the possibility of maintaining a blank head should his faceup fade. If I miss this opportunity.....sigh. I am worried the new faceup will not be the same as the old even when repainted by a company artist. I want to keep that look for as long as possible. There is something in his faceup that I can’t explain. My inclination is not to repaint at this time but.....sigh....you know the problem....,

 

So many choices....

Just an FYI, VolksUSA seems to be back up. I went ahead and put myself into the tea party lottery and an entry for Angela, but we'll see what happens.

 

Wow! They upped the price for the tea party.

 

This is the first time I've actually been in a position to be able to go. What was the price before?

 

It was $85 last year - but that was a one day event. With it being two days this year, a little bit more is not unexpected

 

2015 was $50 per person for the Tea Party but that was also at a different hotel closer to LAX. There was no combo prices for you and your guest.

 

Yep, prices have gone up every time... Plus tax, which is not low, either. But prices everywhere go up, it seems, so no surprise.

It took me quite a few tries to get signed in and checked out! I just did it now.

 

It's too bad that companions cannot enter lottery for dolls if they go with the companion ticket combo... which means even if you had companion, probably ended up getting single tickets XD I hope that the available dolls get released before June tho! Maybe my companion aren't interested in any of the dolls that's gonna be there (kind of unlikely, knowing her lol)

I feel like September is too far away!!! Is there gonna be a quick meet up for attendants to trade stuff? I hope there will be one.

 

I actually think that is quite fair. "companion" tickets are for spouses/significant others - or that was the intent, when people complained that they got in and said spouse did not - so they came up with a way to 'link', so that you could apply for said spouse. As for that spouse who is coming with you not doubling up on your chances to win a doll - well, the rest of us only get one chance!

Re: a swap type meet - the hotel got REALLY upset with that last time - and it got out of hand. That's why I think volks is doing the 2nd day 'dealers market'.

 

Is it frowned upon if we hosted our own little gathering for a swap or something in a hotel room or at a restaurant/cafe?

 

Wow... why did the hotel get so upset??? Is it just the usage of space that was an issue or that money was involved???

It would be nice if there was a swap event though because I don't know if dealer's room can be used for that...

 

Just entered for the tea party lottery Last dolpa, did they give a dress code for the party? Because the grand ball theme makes me wonder if cocktail attire is expected vs the nice casual I would normally think of for a tea party.

 

Hotels don't like people taking over parts of their hotel for unofficial events...
1. They make money by renting spaces out for things.
2. Guests doing stuff like that can be disruptive for other guests. Even in hotel rooms--if you have other people next door or on the same hallway and a lot of people swapping in one or more rooms--that's not fair to people who want to have a quiet stay. Hotels ALWAYS require permission for that sort of thing... Cons with party rooms have to arrange that with the hotel, for instance.
3. Doll Meets, unless you are very quiet and only a small group, are not allowed in most hotel lobbies, even. Sometimes the hotels will be OK with it, if their regular guests are not being bothered, or if they are a con hotel with a large chunk of people staying there part of the con. Otherwise--guest or not--a meetup can be told to leave.

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At the L.A. Dolpa before the last one... there were quite a few of us who didn't get into the Tea Party, and we stayed in the lobby with a table or two of dolls... The hotel wasn't very busy, and the Tea Party was held in rooms off the lobby, so we were allowed to hang out there. It wasn't a super-big crowd or a huge swap (I think only a very small swap, if any...).

 

I don't recall if it was this thread or the other Volks thread, but I was able to confirm with VolksUSA who check with HQ in Japan.
They said they'd be able to accept my old 1999 F05 for Trade Exchange Service. But maybe the full doll is a better idea and just get her all renewed at the same time.

 

Nice casual would be the standard - However, Volks does LOVE cosplay - so if you can do all super fancy - especially matching your doll - they'd love it. For the pirate theme - they had a costume contest for those attending who dressed as pirates/steampunk (voted by the volks staff), vs. the doll costume contest (popular vote). I'm sure they will award some sort of prize if there are people who show up in full ball gown attire; and like I mentioned - they ESPECIALLY like matching with your doll.

 

i love splitsville! it is so kitschy and cute. they also have a surprisingly good food selection for people with dietary restrictions. i don’t think reserving a few lanes would be an issue considering how much time there is before the event.

i will say that for any meetup on friday, i’m going to be rabid for my disney parks time so i personally won’t be up for a super long hang out, just something short and sweet. so maybe post dolpa splitsville on sunday evening? because ngl, that sounds super nice. once people start having more concrete plans we can all go into more detail with figuring something out.

 

@c4tbus we are APs so I'm always up for some Disney time.

 

Matching clothes with doll outfit would be pretty awesome, but can't sew to save my life so that's not going to happen XD The new outfits for Pink House is less grand ball and more mori/kind of lolita style I would say. I think those type of dress would be a bit more casual and probably way more comfortable to wear to the event.

 

Matching cosplay or other outfits sounds amazing. Let's see if it's enough time to pull something together.

 

There's a new update about Satogaeri Service & Satogaeri Service From (PDF) on the main site!

 

ahhh! i’m very envious and very glad! like i said, i would love to meet up for a little dolls at disney moment !! probably sometime on friday!

 

Just read through the thread best I could since I'm pretty interested in Dolpa!

I may have missed this on the site or here, but how much is a badge usually? Also, I read that they only allow Volks dolls at the convention in this thread. As I always wanted a Volks doll, are there a lot of Volks dolls being sold there physically at the convention? And is purchasing mostly lottery style? I'm wondering what is the likelihood of bumping into one I like if I did get the chance to go this year!

 

I know exactly how you feel. Ephram's faceup feels just a bit different too. I actually used to own two Isaos and the other one just didn't quite have Ephram's same feel.

I can't find his headplate though. I think it might possibly be in a box in the garage somewhere since it's not with my doll stuff in the house but if it is I may never find it again. :/

 

Don't think badge prices are up yet, only the tea party ticket price is up, which include the badge.

As far as I know, aside from the tea party limited pre-ordering of Angela and Sophie, all the other dolls there are going to be lottery style XD

If you really want a doll, I would suggest looking at the full choice options that should come in May.

 

Yeah, I saw about the Tea Party and the badges not being up. I was wondering what last years prices are so I can kind of gauge the price tag from there.

I see I see. I just wanted to make sure what to expect if I can go!

Oh yeah, I been looking out for the FCS. I am just waiting it out to see if they will redo the SD16 FCS that I missed last year... I think it was last year.

Big Question: Is anyone doing any hotel sharing? I don't think I can drag 3 friends with me to LA to share a hotel room to make costs more affordable.

 

@eleniel Oh okay! Thanks for the information. I'm not too familiar with Dolpa besides knowing it is by Volks and it happens in LA in America from time to time. XD

Yeah, that's why I'm just waiting since I'm a big fan of the SD16 girls. My grain is one of the head sculpts they released in there. So I am crossing my fingers for whenever they do it again. So I'm curious what is in store for May.

 

I'm not sure if it's 100% accurate, but I recall only seeing SD16 FCS occurring in October the last few years. The other months were SD and SDM, I believe.

What are you hoping for? If it weren't for the possibility of Dolpa this year, I'd try and get an SD16 Pearl.

 

Hmm, at least there is some pattern we can forecast on. lol

Also, at Dolpa do they showcase past stuff? Like seeing Oscar in person etc (though I got to see an Oscar in person at a Doll Meet)?

Basically my grail is SD16 Pearl. I fell in love with her in 2009 (I think that's when she was released) and was so happy to hear she is available through FCS. I was just banking on a rerelease at a Dolpa or something!

 

I applied for the tea party with companion and put in for both Angela and Sophie since I loved them and their outfits so much. I didn't think I would be able to get these two at all since I can't afford scalper prices or to go to Japan for an event.

I'm just really nervous about winning the lottery to get in! My last (and only) 3 lottery entries for dolls I've had no luck.

I'm interested in getting my Ryo Narasaki the full Satogaeri services too, I'm just a bit worried about her face-up being taken off and re-applied.

 

My friend and I are still a little confused about the companion ticket, and we’re hoping someone on here might be able to clarify and/or answer our question please. Which is, If I enter for a self and companion ticket, with my friend as my companion, can she also enter the lottery for a self and companion ticket, with me as her companion? Sort of hedging our bets as it were. I read everything I could find on the Dolpa website, but Volks doesn’t say anything about whether that is allowed or not. Has anyone checked with Volks about this, or found anything anywhere to answer this? Thanks

 

If both of you got your own ticket (regardless of who's companion), then you can both enter lottery once.
The companion cannot enter lottery, so it doesn't really matter who's companion.
If your friend wants to enter lottery, she should get her own ticket.
If only one of you get into the tea party, then whoever's companion cannot enter lottery.

 

So if you both want to enter the Tea Party and be eligible for the events/dolls during, you'd both have to buy the Self ticket. The companion ticket is a discounted price, but the companion cannot enter for any of the lottery or Tea Part events. Only the main ticket holder may enter.

You could each possibly each enter for the You + Companion tickets separately, but same thing. Only the main ticket holder can enter for the Tea Party dolls or the lotteries held during. If you're both just trying to make sure you go together, it should be ok as I don't believe they make you name your companion during the lottery. It's really just for if you're both also interested in the event dolls (Pink House, One-Offs, etc).