Volks Dolpa - Dolls Party in LA 2017

So excited to meet all of you! 8'D Please post updates as you guys get them!

 

Bag check/coat check. And I was just told that you can pick dolls up when cloak service opens tomorrow.

 

I'm here, I'll wander down to that area to say hi to everyone tonight

 

Huge group of us gathered by the Marquis south ballroom area. People are visiting and starting to get things to swap.

 

Are you guys still having that swap meet tonight?

 

Man, it's been a while since I've visited DoA, and I'm excited to see some old and new faces tomorrow.

I have a question though. The schedule tomorrow has the Sumika listed to close at 4PM. Is this correct? Trying to see what Hubby and I can squeeze in before the tea party.

 

I'm so excited for the Dolpa! Here's a link to a photo of my F-60 I'll have with me tomorrow. She's all dressed and ready! (I'm on mobile and I can't figure out how to embed the photo directly. Oops.) If you see me, please say hi!!
Coco ready for the Dolpa!

 

@Midori

I'm pretty sure that's what it means. If I'm remembering correctly that's what they did last time too.

 

Does anyone know what's a good time to head down on Saturday? I'm not sure if I should get there really early or if it's more towards the afternoon.

 

Are you looking at the Saturday schedule? Sunika sales of limited items, DearSD, and dealer items starts at 9:30am. The tea party starts at 3pm. You'll miss out on the sales floor AND the tea party if you arrive at 4pm.

 

You will want to go early if you are planning to bring home the DP limited dollfies.
I think they will start taking lottery orders at 10am, and announce winners around 11~12ish
But if you are going there for the tea party, I'd say be there around 3 to check in and visit sumika shops/enter one-off lottery. If you had purchased a tea party limited doll, you should go get him/her before the tea party, too.

 

Hey All. Excited to meet you tomorrow. I just drove in now. Can't wait.

Was I supposed to make a name tag or something?

 

Than you for the quick response! I've never been to a Dolpa before so I'm super excited! Could I ask as well if I can bring a Dear SD to the tea party? I really love my Megu the most right now but I wasn't sure if I had to bring a SD size or if I could get away with bringing a Dear SD size. Also are the lottery's only for dolls? I really like some of the clothing and other accessories this year but if I bring another doll home my husband might have a stroke. Lol.

 

You can bring any volks dollfie to the tea party, but you can only bring one to the tea party. I don't think they will do lottery for the clothing but you may want to go early because the items in Sumika shop are quantity limited. Sumika shop open at 10am tomorrow btw.

 

They will do a lottery for the order that we get to enter the sumika shop for the limited items also. They are very fair that way. (And also it avoids people trying to line up at 3am lol). You can start lining up for the sumika shop at 9:30 am and they will probably do the line rearranging a little before 10am. I'm bringing my DearSd to the tea party, as is my friend, so the more the merrier!

To answer other people's questions - don't worry about name tags, we've all just been introducing ourselves around to everyone else. No need to be shy - we are all doll friends here! . If anyone is nervous, look for me or my husband Brian (I'll be in a purple shirt with rhinestones across the stomach and I'll be carrying a basket with a DearSd Una, and he's the long suffering hobby supporter by my side) and we would be happy to show you where to go or introduce you to friends. Also, with all of the activities Volks has planned, its best to go early so you don't miss out on anything. It should be an amazing day tomorrow!

 

Thank you everyone! That really helps for information! I wanted to try wearing a classic lolita but the theme is pirates this year. It's such a shame. LOL Maybe I can get away with it (it is a tea party after all) My girl will be wearing lolita regardless! I'm so happy to know more people will be bringing Dear SD's! Yay!

 

why not wear Lolita if you like Lolita? You see a lot of it at Japanese Dolpas. I say have fun with it.

 

Yeah, I saw the open time, but unfortunately I can't make it until noon (hopefully). I need to drop off my little girl at my in-laws prior, so Hubby and I can have the rest of the day free. I hate being responsible, hehe... But it is what it is. =)

 

Hey! We just got in to the hotel(were originally planning to come last night but it didn't pan out T_T) I'm super excited for tomorrow, a lil nervous though, it's my first Dolpa.
So the entry line lottery is only to decide the *order* of people who get to go in, b/c of the lotteries and limited shop items, right? But after 10am when the doors open can anyone just walk in? I was a little confused about the entry line lottery and it made me nervous lol. I'll probably go down there at 9 and line up anyways, but I would rather sleep in a little if I don't actually have to be in the line to get in lol.
I'll be in a sax/pink lolita coord and have my SD Shiratori (in a red classic lolita outfit) and SDC Kaede (in a black floral TheHauntedDollhouse set), so say hi if you spot me please!
Oh, and for the tea party do we just need to give them our names and they'll have a list? Or should I print out my confirmation email/PayPal receipt and have it with me? Just want to make sure
I look forward to seeing everybody & all your dolls ~

 

Line up also determine your order to enter Sumika shop, I think. However, anyone can enter Sumika shop after 10am.
Sumika regular items are usually quantity limited. So get in early usually means higher chance of getting items you want.
Are you going to the tea party by yourself? Cuz each person can only bring one doll to the party..
But no, I don't think you need to print out your confirmation. From my understanding, volks already has a list of participants. We just need to bring a photo ID showing the our name.

 

Oh, and for those who will go early to Sumika shop, can someone let me know if they have doll carrier there? I desperately need one. Lol

I will be going with my FCS-03 (left) tomorrow.
Had been debating who to bring for the past three days...

 

@lucyhayashi thank you so much for the info! And no, I've got a companion ticket for my mom and I, so we'll each bring one haha.

 

I had such a great time yesterday meeting up at the Marriot and attending the Volks presentations! It was also a fantastic opportunity for an early meet and greet (Humans and BJD'S alike) before Dolpa today. You may not know it but it's like celebrity city meeting owners and their dolls in person and putting a face to names and avatars!

Dolpa has not really even started and I found some lovely items already at the swap meet sale last night for the resin crew at home. I believe I still may have to explain myself when I get home though, so they don't kill me in my sleep.

 

Got the outfit I wanted, one I didn't know they'd have from the DD line I'd missed out on, and won a Dear SD Tiffany so far! Having a great time talking to everyone!

 

I found an outfit I lost the lottery for several Dolpas back. Snatched it immediately. Totally made my day. ❤

 

*WOW!! * Which doll was that, the sparkly one in the middle of the sumika room?

ETA : Double wow, congratulations @Ian-KunX on that Tiffany! You are having some good luck today! Ephraim and Tsuka-pyon will have a huge big-boned little sister.

And I want to reiterate how effing awesome it is every time to get to meet people I've known online for 12 years but met IRL for the first time. @Seditionary and @Isenn I was so stoked to finally meet you.

The sumika really didn't have a blessed thing for bots, but I did score SD16G hands for Mistress Yuki... hoping that works out. Now, I'm stuffing myself into my Tea Party dress. See y'all soon!

 

The Suigintou in Shadow Skin silly! Lol, Yes, aka "The Sparkly One."

 

Oh wow, is that who? I didn't even get a good look at her.. (I ain't good in crowds XD) Tan Suigintou must be amaaazing.

 

Wow, amazing Dolpa! Volks went out of their way to bring tons of long sold out outfits, fun games, and goodies. And they actually brought an enormous amount of different dolls for people to obtain, considering the amount of attendees. Between the coordinate models, the DDs, the DearSds and the One Offs, everyone had a decent chance of getting something, much better than you would ever have at a Japanese Dolpa. People in Japan would kill to have odds like we did at this Dolpa. We were incredibly spoiled! I know there will always be people that are disappointed but Volks was hugely generous to us.

 

Volks has always been big on doing things by lottery and drawing numbers/slips of paper out of boxes. I'm certain this time was no exception and the winners were just lucky.

 

Still sick I was able to make it for an hour to the shop and to pick up my doll. It was so overwhelmingly exciting to see so many people into the same thing. I walked around holding my doll and didn't feel like a total weirdo. In the VERY crowded shop I found a cool gothy DD outfit set including boots!! And purchased some of the care items and tabi feet for my boy. I keep thinking about two outfits I put back but really should have bought...oh well. I met a very nice woman in line waiting to get into the shop - I was going to gift her my tea party ticket but they wouldn't let me. I really hope she gets in!!! I wasn't up to socializing so I didn't get a chance to meet anyone else. Hope every one has fun at the Tea Party! It was all well worth the hour I spent there and everyone was so nice!

 

Lovely friends on den of angels! I won one of the absolutely beautiful Rachel's and I swore I wouldn't even enter. I was like a deer caught in head lights when they called my name. lol I didn't think I would win!

 

Where is the swap being held tonight? Was so great meeting everyone!

 

Congratulations!!! Good for you!

 

Maybe with the wedding we should have the swap meet by the couch area in the middle a little further up?

 

Had a great time. Have to leave early because a fire is near my sisters house. Sorry can't play afterwards.

 

Volks came by and told us not to sell/trade in the area as they only reserved the ballrooms for the dolpa and did not want the hotel used this way, so we've packed up. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up.

 

Couch area is good. And keep it a discreet meet-up with things you can look through, no visible price tags. The appearance of money changing hands needs to be minimized, so we don't get Volks in trouble with the hotel.

 

Maybe relocate to an area farther away from the main halls.

 

I am still in shock!
I had no expectations of winning anything, so I was thrilled when I won the DSD Vanessa I wanted. She is going to make an adorable little boy, to be a playmate for my other DSD boy, little Misha.

Next, I was totally stunned when I won the little SDMidi girl!
I wasn't planning to enter for any of the SDMs because I'd decided to just put in an FCS order for an F-40 sunlight skin boy, instead of trying for him in the lottery. However, I went over to take some photos, and ended up being totally enchanted by a little F-39 girl..... and I'm not even really into girl dolls!

I seriously thought that I'd maxed out my luck with winning those two, so I figured there would be no way in "hades" that I'd win the "One-of" doll that I was planning to enter for at the Tea Party! So I think my heart literally stopped for a second there, when I realized it was my name he was reading off!

This is like so much good luck, that it's almost too much! If I wasn't so tired, and wasn't hurting so much right now, I'd be down there totally freaking out about it.

I was planning on hanging out with everyone some more tonight too, and was really looking forward to it, but I unfortunately, I just had to get off of my foot and elevate it for awhile. Lol, It's trying to turn itself into a giant red football again!

I just want to say, that it was wonderful getting to meet and talk with all of you, and if any of you are sticking around for a few extra days, I'm here until the fifth.

I know some of you probably have to leave tonight or early tomorrow, so just in case I don't get a chance to see you again before you go, I just want to say "Aloha, friends until we meet again!"

 

What a wonderful time. Everyone I met was so nice and it was great to see all the dolls. I went Friday for the workshops and picked up some face up supplies and then went back this morning for more visiting and shopping. I did not win a lottery doll but I did win an extremely cool wig in the $5.00 chance drawing. It was the 2nd place level prize..a SD17 boy Reisner wig. It's the grey one with braids. I am very happy. Of course I then spent mega dollars on a beautiful kimono and another outfit. But I wanted to get something special as this was my very first Volks event.

 

Yes @JennyNemesis, it was so great to meet you too. I totally wanted to grab a beer or something after the show but I had to drive back to Venice tonight. I should have come in earlier on Friday to grab a drink with the early crew. The whole event was so much fun and I met really awesome people. I can't wait to do it again.

I am loving my pale somber Williams tonight. He's brooding next to my keyboard.

 

So happy to meet everyone and see everyone's gorgeous dolls! Snagged some amazing limiteds and could not believe that they brought so many tenshi for us.

 

It was nice chatting with you last night JRyu. Congratulations on all your wins. Well deserved.

 

Sorry to anyone I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to last night! I wanted to get on the road before I completely died and am now safely home with my 3.5 new dolls. (Midi boy body, so half a doll) I haven't even opened the boxes yet lol I'm so wiped. XD

Alas, I did not win the one-off Sylvie, and a tenshi eludes me still, but I'm more than happy with what I got! Snagged a couple of pairs of sweet ED eyes before the swap got shut down so woo. Can't get those dolls Volks showed at the tea party out of my mind though, geez. So gorgeous!

Nice seeing people again/meeting them for the first time! Hopefully Ephram didn't abuse anyone too much and I'm glad Travis got to go around and have fun.

Time to sleep the sleep of the dead.

 

Wow, you are home already? I emailed you the last photo (life size Williams). I am onboard Air Canada now. They are forever delayed and will be lucky if my luggage is not lost. My 2 Reisners (big and small) are both stuffed under my seat!!! Was at the airport at 3am, so I am going to sleep. When I awake, I hope to find myself in Toronto. Hope you got the photo.

 

I got it, thanks! Hope you made it home safely and with luggage intact!

 

Anyone else still at the hotel? I'm hanging in the lobby eating some breakfast right now. I don't leave until 2.

 

Is anyone going to post pictures here or is that being done somewhere else? I would love to see the costumes - doll and human - that people came up with and just any pics. I saw someone walking around with an amazing steampunk boy - I was blown away over it.

 

Someone can start a Thread in the Gallery/Meetups & Events forum--with better photos than I took! There were so many lovely dolls, I hope people will post photos.

/forums/meetups-and-events-photo-gallery.71/

I'm sorry I didn't have time to hang out much... I had pets that needed letting out and feeding and watching after since they didn't have air-conditioning, so I only ran in for a few hours each day and had to run off again.

 

Had a wonderful time. Met so many new people. So fun to visit with everyone. I loved the pirate steampunk costumes theme. I was so impressed with everyone's interpretation. The costume contest dolls blew me away. I thought they were one offs. I spent more time with them than the one offs. The one offs gave us so many choices.

The Volks team and shigeta family were just wonderful. They put on such a great show. So many things to look at and buy.

My sister rose and I planned to hang out after tea party but had to return home with fire in la hills near her house. Everything is okay. But we have evacuation plan. Just in case. The police came and knocked on the door and scared my mom Saturday. We have to be prepared.

Playing with my new yo/midi Williams on sdc boy body.

I didn't bring my midi boy body or msd body with me. But will do photo review when I return home after vacation.

 

I do hope someone will start a gallery thread and you all will post in it- I'm dying to see photos! I've been living vicariously through your posts on this thread, and some people I know posted photos on Instagram. I wanted to attend myself but in the end, it wasn't worth the stress of traveling across the country... so I'll wait for another Dolpa in New York I guess. Anyways, I had fun reading the thread and I want to see more photoooos!!!

 

Everything went by so fast. My sister and I had a wonder time though! I want to thank the lovely Ginorolo for the little map you gave me, it's so cute! You and your family stay safe. I had a great time chatting with everyone. And speaking of the prototype dolls they showed what were they called again iSomething? And was I understanding them right, they were vinyl dolls made to appear as if they were made out of resin? There faces were certainly more of a blend of Volks resin style and dollfie dream style.

 

I know I'm not on here often, but it was great being among doll people again! Thanks to Ginorolo for the little map as well, it's adorable!
I didn't have the only Ruby at the event for once, either, so that was fun. Everything was lovely, people were amazing, and it's always nice to go. Hopefully they keep happening!

To everyone I chatted with, I do still check messages on here, so if you ever want to talk, I'm around.

Cloudedmind: I think it was Dollfie Icon?

 

So nice to meet you too @Cloudedmind .

The new prototype is called Dollfie icon.

 

@Anrui Ukimi @ginarolo Yes, that's right. Thank you both.

 

My unedited photos are here: Volks Dolpa 2017. I'll update them with captions when I get home.

 

Thanks for posting your pics! Had such a great time at Dolpa, I'm having Dolpa withdrawal now. Lol. Everyone, write to Volks and tell them what a great time you had so they'll start planning for next year's Dolpa.