Volks Dolpa - Dolls Party in LA 2015 - LAX Marriot (9/5/2015)

Yee! : I'm glad they came back to their senses about having American Dolpas. But ohmigawd no more Alice themes awready. Did Alice last time. Done to death. Enough enough enough.

I figure I'll give Volks a month or two to change their minds about the dates before I go purchase anything.

 

If everything goes according to plan, this will be my first-ever Dollpa. I'm sooooo excited!

I booked my hotel room right away, but like others have asked about and hinted at, I too am a little weary about whether or not they will change date, venue, or limit the amount of people who can attend.

Figured that nothing can go wrong with having a hotel room and hold off on the flight for now...

 

I know that Anime Los Angeles was held there for a couple of years in the past, so the Marriott definitely has the space for a small to mid-size convention. It'll most likely just come down to how much room Volks can rent and whether or not there are other events going on at the same time.

 

You can usually change or cancel hotel reservations as long as it's not RIGHT before the date, I think... so that's pretty safe. It's the other flight/travel arrangements that usually are a royal pain to change!

 

Thanks for clearing that up [MENTION=2592]St. James[/MENTION], [MENTION=669]april[/MENTION], and [MENTION=14903]anavel[/MENTION]. In some of my other hobbies, companies like to hold events where you're required to have one of their products to attend, so I just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any VIP Volks-doll-owner-exclusive events I would be missing out on. I would actually prefer to not have to worry about carrying a doll around with me

As for the venue, ALA capped out at 4,000 attendees, plus there were probably a few hundred ghosting, so assuming Volks doesn't just rent a tiny area I don't think there will be an issue. The area around the pool is very nice for photos if you want some of your dolls as well. Also if for some reason you can't get a hotel room at the actual hotel (or you have a membership or something at another hotel that will make it cheaper), that area is essentially all hotels so there are plenty just a short walk away.

 

Room blocks are not always about the attendee price break, though there usually is one. It's also about your stay counting towards their room night quota, which determines the amount they pay for their meeting space. Generally, the price of your meeting space is discounted when you reach a certain room night number agreed upon in your contract by a deadline (usually a few weeks prior to the event). It could be an "over the entire show" amount, or an "on peak night" amount. For a show the size of Dollpa, I would imagine it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 75-100 room nights overall/40-50ish peak night. If people book outside the "block" by not using the official link and booking on their own without mentioning they're with the Dollpa, those nights don't count towards the convention's room block quota. In theory, booking outside the block could cause the convention to have to pay more for the meeting space used (exhibit hall, panel rooms, etc). So, booking a room now to be "sure" is fine, but I would also recommend rebooking once the convention's link is put up (or at least letting the hotel know that you're with Dollpa) so that they get credit for those nights.

There are a ton of hotels in the area of the LAX Marriott. I've been to several conventions there, and the convention space is plenty big enough for a Dollpa. It's much larger than the Hilton was in 07. It has some connectivity issues when in the convention space on the bottom floor, so unless they've addressed that since last year, communication via cell/text may be a challenge while you're in the convention space. Be prepared.

 

oh okay thank you for the information i've never gone to one and i was really interested in going but i wasnt sure how it worked. i hope it isnt a lottery, i never do well with those lol

does anyone happen to know the price range for a program? just wondering how much i should save just in case im able to go, im local

 

By "program", do you mean the price of attending? Admission to the last LADollpa was $60, but I'm sure it will be more than that now, since it's 8 years later.

 

thank you for the information. What does admission cover? I can't wait to get more information on the details of this Dolpa

 

we don't know yet. Usually, it just covers the cost of admission. More info will be released soon. People like to speculate what will happen, and what happened in the past, but no one knows for sure anything.

 

JennyNemesis, what about a Leather Wonderland? You can't even agree with that theme hahaha? (Not that I think Volks would ever do that, but...)

 

Huh, I don't remember paying for a ticket but maybe that was because we went as vendors and there was a different process?
Just got confirmation that our time off was approved! YAY!
*continues crossing fingers that the dates won't change*

 

We can dream! I never, ever assume that Volks definitely won't do something.

 

Saw the email. Totally going to go. I am so excited. I was so scared that they were never going to do this sort of thing again, I am so glad that isn't the case.

 

Really hoping to go, haven't been back to California since 2005! Wanting to make this a trip that includes San Francisco too, just sucks having to miss school and work lol. Hope I can meet lots of DD people

 

I'm so excited for this! I'm definitely going to that! I have been out of the loop for about a year or two now but I can't wait to go to this event!

 

I'm hopefully staying with relatives for the event, unless something changes.

I'm kind of hoping the tickets are less, since the event is only a day this time. I think they're also getting a lot of interest on the event so I think they should be able to cover the cost pretty well.

Would anyone be interested in planning a get together before and/or after the day of the event? I think that would be fun. That or even a little Tokyo excursion. If I remember correctly, public transit is pretty easy from there, especially now with the gold line extension.

 

Hi,

I'm newbie to Doll and clueless about this…. They sell dolls? Or you bring your doll to the party???

I'm going… I'm going to buy a doll if there is one~ If not… it's OK too… will go the learn…

Thanks for your help~


Edited: After reading all posts, I think I'm getting a better understanding about the even.

In my case, I will get to meet new friends… Excited…. I can manage to get a new doll, SD16 or SD17boy and some new clothes.. since I already ordered Sheryl Nome.
OMG.. I'm so EXCITED! Won be able to sleep tonight even now is 12:30am

Thanks everyone for posting the info… I really am appreciated!

*CHUUUUUUUUUUUU*

 

Sorry... but.. I do need help on how to get a ticket to get in! Where and when to buy a ticket?

Please HELP and very much appreciate for your all your help and understanding.

THANKS!

 

I don't think Volks has announced anything about tickets yet. If/when they do, it'll probably be announced on their Facebook page or through their email newsletter. As to where to buy, I'm guessing tickets will be available online through the VolksUSA webshop. Hope that helps!

 

Thanks for you help and info! I will keep my eyes on those links you posted so that I won't miss the event!

 

@HEEDLESS_X_FEI No problem!

 

Oh I cant wait to see the dolls!! Hopefully they rerelease alice!!

 

We (916mvk and Rafael) book the hotel too from Fri to Sun. I hope we will have the same fun as at Buffalo Dollism

 

Oh man, everyone is booking hotel rooms, we might have to do so as well! They don't charge until closer correct?

 

The way I booked it I won't be charged till I check-in, and if I have my info correct you can cancel hassle free up to 24-hours before check in. ^^

 

Yes, they will need all your info - address, credit card number....but they will not charge.

 

Really can't pass this up, especially since it's local for me. Who knows when Volks will do this again?

I agree that the Alice theme has been done to death in BJD land. They should at least put a twist to it and do something like "Alice in the Country of Hearts" and release a bunch of gorgeous guys! I could use a sexy Cheshire Cat.

 

Well, I traveled to California years back for Dollectable, traveled to New York last year for Dollism Plus... what's another exciting cross country trip? Especially back to California! I am like, 98% sure I'm going to do do this. Just waiting on some more details and the like! So exciting, this would be my first Dollpa!!

 

Was a rooming/carpool thread ever set up for this event?

 

We're waiting until there is some actual info on the event.

 

Thank you... I'm so excited and have been looking forward to it...

There will be info regarding tickets for the event too RIGHT???

 

We're all waiting to learn more. As soon as Volks sends out an email or posts anything on Facebook, I'm sure someone will repost the info here less than ten seconds later.

 

I'm just curious what other info we need other than the place and date for rooming and carpool?

 

I'll be there - I can't wait!! (I hate that Volks closed their LA store; hope they open another one.)

 

Somewhat silly question. If there is a lottery to get in, then does it mean only those that got in with the lottery could purchase the Dolpa items (I think so but hope springs eternal...)? And would they show the Dolpa items a few months in advance?

Thanks. I'm trying to decide whether to save all my pennies now for the possibility of going to the Dolpa and finding something wonderful

 

I really want to go to this! It would be my first Dollpa!

 

I don't think it will hurt to go even you have to win the lotto to get the doll... I think it will be a learning experience for us (me) newbies plenty things to look forward to..... I think there are things you can get beside the dolls.. I don't mind if I can't win the lotto...

 

I'll be there.

 

I am coming too! Is it okay to come even if you do not own a Volks bjd?

 

Perfectly fine! A doll is not required for attendance, but as this is a Volks event only Volks dolls should be brought to Dolpa.

 

I've never booked hotel rooms before, if i ever needed one i usually just found a cheap something or other that night. xD

Should a hotel be something i need to look for, NOW, for this event?

 

I'm going to definitely be going and can't wait for registration to open already!!!

 

I haven't booked a room, but I am hyper vigilant about checking the page for updates everyday, but that also means I am getting impatient for more info even though it's months away either way >,<;;;

 

captainkyo,
Definitely, not. But the event will take one day only. I'm pretty sure the events will start at 9:00 AM.
Did you already find the flight that will bring you to LA on Saturday before 8:00 AM?
Are you ready to spent all the day with the whole staff in your hands?

As I can imagine members are grouping in a small companies for rooming. You will need to visit this room 20 times during this day so that why everybody want to left all their belongings in the same hotel. Somebody of this group will arrive on Friday, somebody will stay up to Monday. It will be Labor Day so I suggest Monday will be the holiday.

You can join one of the group and pay some amount which will depend of your activity in this room (stay the night or just put your staff in the morning and leave in evening).

Ouh, captainkyo,
I know you, I bought 2 pair of shoes from you this Saturday,

 

My best friend and I are hoping to go to this, I live in CA so that won't be too much of an issue, but I'm currently pregnant and my due date is a month or so before... Anyways I'm hoping they will release more info soon!

 

I'd suggest that people go ahead and make hotel reservations... You can cancel those with no penalty if you do it before the actual date.

It will probably be a long while before a lot more info is available. Most of the details only get ironed out fairly close to the time...

 

I found out I will definitely be back living in CA in time for the Dolpa. I just hope I'm settled enough from my move to afford it. With it being just a one day event I think it should be easily do-able though, especially if I can share a hotel room with someone. I'm very much looking forward to more info now!

 

YAAAAAAY!!! I hope you can make it! Or that you're back in the Bay Area so we can see you all the time.

Maybe once they're done with the March FCS workload they'll have time to do a little more Dolpa teasing?

 

I'm in Newport Beach... close to John Wayne Airport. If anyone having problem at the last minute of booking a hotel, PM me, I don't mind picking/dropping you at John Wayne Airport and having you stay with me over night and take you to the convention... Don't worry I don't bite and won't cost you... Just make sure not LAX... I won't go there to pick you up... driving to LAX is not fun......

 

ahah! hi again~

I went ahead and booked a hotel room for 3 nights (might as well see a bit of cali since iver never been~) 149.00/night not too bad, specially if its split up.
You mentioned all the trips back to the room and i went back to volks website for the dolpa, i didnt even realize it was being held in the hotel, so thats pretty sweet~

 

Yes my husband and I got a invitation from Hide san the other day. We are pretty excited. We will be out of the country at the time but will come back for it !

 

[MENTION=2592]St. James[/MENTION] I'm so happy to be coming back Even if going to Dolpa ends up not working out for me, I'll def. want to start attending bay area meets again!

 

This doesn't mean it is set in stone of course, especially since the Hotel could very well need to change something, but Volks got back to me this morning telling me that "Yes, we have indeed signed the contract to finalize everything with the hotel." so I can feel a little more comfortable booking a flight to LA for that day so far in advance. Of course if something changes, Volks probably won't be at fault, and certainly can't be held accountable, but it is something. They also said they were excited to hear that fans would be trying hard to attend, and hope to see everyone there!

 

I'm glad you'll be back, it will be great to see you!

 

Thanks Robin ! It will be great to see you too

 

I've never been to a big BJD convention before but I got the invite from Volks in my email and I got excited. I'm not sure what all I should do and unfortunately I don't know who all is going from Michigan (Since I'm way over here in the mitten state and all) so not sure if I can go or not with the cost of the hotel room and such X-X

 

I am so excited! I will be there!