Volks Dolpa - Dolls Party in LA 2017

Two days is nice, but I'm wondering why Friday and Saturday and not the usual Saturday and Sunday.

 

*flailing* Oath of the Silver Coins masquerade theme, that's brilliant!
And 2 days now, wow!
Williamssssss!!

 

I really really want to go to this one. I'm going to shuffle any vacation plans now to ensure I can go. Please, I ask in all politeness that Volks allow more enthusiasts to attend the Tea Party. I'm OK with the exclusivity surrounding the brand, but I think last year was too limited. Please keep it as open as you possibly can Thank you!

 

I just noticed they changed the location? The address is for the LAX Marriott but they listed the Anheim Marriott? I'm so confused...

 

@eleniel Thanks! Guessing that's the one then, going to switch my reservation to the Anaheim Marriott. Just noticed it's near Disneyland!

 

Ok, wow, that's news! I'm waiting till they're done changing & confirming everything before even thinking about reservations.
(I hope the Anaheim one is also easy to get to from the airport. I ain't drivin'!)

 

Ugh, the LA one is closer for me, but I was going to take Uber anyway so it just means a few more bucks out of my pocket.

@JennyNemesis I believe the Anaheim Marriott is close or at least close-ish to the John Wayne Airport. So, you can check if you can fly into that one and then take an Uber or Lyft from the airport to the hotel.

 

I think that the location moved because judging by the most recent Dolpa, there was that "dance camp" that took most of the LAX Marriott facilities.

But hey, at least Disneyland will be closer for people who were planning to go! Y'all won't have to worry about braving that fantastic 405 Southbound Freeway.

 

Thanks for the tip! I've never flown into John Wayne. High adventure.

 

@pleiades I was looking at the meeting rooms available and they also seem to have much bigger ones then the LAX Marriott. So hopefully Volks was able to secure a bigger space so more people can come to the Tea Party.

@JennyNemesis No problem! I actually like flying into and out of smaller airports. For me at least it's always a nicer and easier experience, even if there might be less to do at the airport.

 

Sadly, I won't be able to make it to this years LA Dolpa since having a baby but I'm hoping to bring her to a future US Dolpa when she's older. Good thing I have a Yo-SD Nono for her, gotta start her young.

At the 2015 Dolpa my husband and I took a SuperShuttle from the Airport to Disneyland and it was under $40 for both of us. I checked the site and it's $34 for two people to the Dolpa hotel. I'd suggest it to those who don't want to drive from LAX to the convention center.

 

Yeah, I had to do my air tickets early because I used miles for them, so I'm definitely stuck going to LAX. I had to cancel my reservation and am going to be at the Hilton that (based on google maps) is literally across the street with a crosswalk. The Anaheim Marriott was saying their cheapest room was $350 but I was able to get the Hilton for $190.

One thing that is worth doing is, if you're pretty sure you're going to go to Disneyland at least 2 days is price it out through the Disneyland website as they'll book you at the good neighbor hotels (Anaheim Marriott is one). If my husband comes with, booking through Disney basically would make one of our sets of tickets free.

 

I looked at the VolksUSA page and now it says only 1 day … Saturday Sept. 2, 2017. ….. ?

 

@pris84 Yeah, they updated it when they updated the change in location.

 

Thanks for letting me know. I had noticed that the location had changed but I guess I missed where they shortened the Dolpa. I'm getting worried that we are going to have a repeat of the 2015 Dolpa. I really hope no one gets left out of anything this time. I was thinking of writing to VolksUSA and perhaps making a few suggestions or requests? I would really love it if they would bring FCS to the Dolpa and hopefully offer some exclusive Sato heads and/or some of the limiteds they've offered in the past like Pearl. And here is hoping Williams isn't lottery …. Come on pre-order!!

Is anyone else planning on writing to VolksUSA?

 

@pris84 I'm hoping that the change in location isn't just because they want to visit Disneyland, xD but also because they were able to secure a bigger room this way. The Anaheim Marriott has bigger meeting rooms then the LAX one. Doing FCS on site at the event would be cool, but would there be enough time for people to do it with just one day available? I hadn't planned on contacting Volks, but if you do Pris84 Williams being pre-order would be awesome. I'm just hoping we get more announcements on that before they release the Tokyo cruise winners.

 

I think so. I recall the FCS from 2007 LA Dolpa and the NY Dolpas to be very popular and lots of people waiting to order. And I think people are going to cry or be very angry if that Williams isn't a preorder. Hopefully it's not a repeat of NY Dolpa 4 ….

I think the more people to contact Volks and make suggestions, the higher the chance that those suggestions will become reality. I think if they know now that a good number of people want FCS or don't want the Tea Party (they have to change that name though really) to be crazy limited like last time, then they need a flood of emails as soon as possible to know that the demand is there. Or that's my thoughts on it.

 

I agree that they're more likely to do stuff if more people ask for it! Would it be out of line for me to email them with requests that I don't actually want myself? I'd be happy to email them with some of those suggestions, but for example, I have no intention of getting a Williams so it feels a little rude for me to suggest they offer him...?

 

@overlordu I don't think it's rude! I actually think it's a great idea, most companies like feedback, even if they choose not to take it, it helps them to have more info on what paying customers want.
I personally would like for the tea party to be available to more people, last dolpa my friend and I were going to go, but decided not too partially because only one of us got the option to go into the tea party.

 

You should be able to catch a shuttle from John Wayne directly to the venue. There are so many hotels in the immediate area - because of Disney - and most of the hotels ALSO offer Disney shuttles.

I'm new to the BJD community but since this sounds amazing and is close to home, I'm definitely looking forward to attending. Gah, but I'd better start putting aside doll money now!

 

I didn't really know about Dolpa until after it had passed last year. I hope I can make it this year! All BJDs are welcome right? Not just Volks dolls? I never know! Maybe I'll see you guys there!!!

 

@chocoyuridream You can only bring Volks dolls to the Dolpa event.

 

Hey, just wanted to throw this out there because I just signed up for the Avengers 5k...and I'm debating the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge...

The CA Dolpa week end (August 31-September 3) is also the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon week end. Registration for that opened already and out of towners have probably started booking hotels, based on questions I've seen on the RunDisney FB group. The 1/2s easily draw over 20,000 people and this year there is a special medal for doing Coast to Coast. Disney races are very very popular. I've not yet done a DL race, but expect road closures in Anaheim on Sat the 2nd and Sun the 3rd. The 1/2 can go as late as 10/10:30 am because the last people to cross the starting line are allowed a 16 minute mile pace.

So if you're thinking of going to Dolpa, you might want to look into hotel rooms sooner rather than later. And if you're a light sleeper, don't stay too close to the DL hotel because I hear the race starts there and at least in FL they have a DJ dance party to warm you up as well as loud noises when each corral starts.

 

I just booked a room at the Anaheim Marriott! I got a great deal on a 3rd party booking site for $175ish for one night. My twin sister and I are going. I'm too excited! Even if we don't get into the tea party, it should be a lot of fun. Last year we went to the tea party and I won the one-off Lorina so I really can't complain if I don't get in this year, haha (but I'd still love to go...). I'm thinking of bringing my old F-07 girl, Pearl, again. Or I could bring any off the dolls in my signature if anyone has any special requests? It's always fun to see dolls in person.

 

Another newb who's never attended a Dolpa here... I'm still a bit confused about the tea party/lottery thing. So the actual Dolpa itself is not lottery based, and we can just go in? But if there's a tea party that will be lottery based?
If the whole event is lottery based and I might not get in at all, then I don't think I'm willing to go all the way down to LA for it that'd be awful. But if it is *just* the tea party that's lottery based, and I'd be guaranteed to at least be able to buy stuff, talk to doll people, and see Volks dolls then I'd go for sure.
So it's just the tea party, and not the whole event that is lottery based, right?
And now I'm seeing mentions of preorders and FCS in this thread but no references to those on the 2015 site... are FCS and preorders a common thing w/ Dolpa? And how do those work? Do they announce an FCS or a preorder a few months before the event and you can pick up the doll there? I'm just really confused, sorry y'all >~<
I'm honestly just trying to figure out all my options, as I really really would like to purchase a doll straight from Volks at this event. I'm down to enter lotteries if that's all they have, but if there are preorders or FCS orders that would guarantee me a doll, I would prefer that, so I'd love to know if that's likely or not and plan accordingly...

 

Right now everything is speculation based on previous Dolpas. The LA 2015 Dolpa was open to all but the Tea Party was very limited. Maybe 150 I want to say, were able to attend? The actual LA Dolpa was essentially a small shop, about 20 previously released limited for lottery and the doll doctor. The Tea Party was later in the afternoon. As a US Dolpa I think it was a bit underwhelming but it was still great to see collectors from all over the place and chat. Lots of people took over the lobby during the day and evening to sell stuff to each other or just chat. And to be fair, I suspect we were lucky to have anything at all.

In previous US Dolpas, they have been (usually) 2 day affairs that involve a sit-down meal or snack food dinner, one offs, amazing door prizes, a small shop, limited clothing and dolls that were designed for the event, on site FCS ordering, dolly doctor, and classes on face up or maintenance. And then to top it off was to have 2 days to chat and meet people. Usually the evening after the first day, collectors would all gather to chat. Lots of fun. Some of the US Dolpas had dolls there to buy on site (the SD16 girls, YoSD Chika, Kuuta, White Rabbit, little Alice and little lorina) and some were ordered or like Williams and Crystal of NY Dolpa 4, lottery based. In short, I think we got really spoiled at those Dolpas!

I still have to write to VolksUSA and would like to suggest to them that they bring FCS for people to do in person (with some Sato only heads) as well as not have such a limited Tea Party. They are teasing us with a photo of the new Romantic Glance WS SD17 Williams that will be available to people who go on the cruise in Tokyo in April 2016 and the hope is that he will be available as a pre-order for 2017 LA Dolpa. I think the more people that write to VolksUSA and kindly make some suggestions, the more likely those wishes will become reality.

Hope that answers your questions?

 

Wow, thank you for all the information!!! Yes that was very helpful Oh man I wish I'd been able to get into the hobby earlier and had experienced some of those previous Dolpas... they sound amazing
I guess I can only hope the 2017 one will be more like those than the 2015 one was! Still, I'm sure it's a great experience in any case.
And I'm also glad to see some mentions in this thread that people dressed in lolita last time! I got into lolita even more recently than BJDs and I have yet to actually wear a full coord in public I have a BTSSB jumperskirt I would love to wear to the Dolpa, since Volks has so many collabs with them
Gonna stalk this thread forever. It's so many months away but I'm so excited

 

I am into lolita too (and my doll of course! ), so I would be disappointed to go all that way and not get into the tea party. Can you buy more than one lottery ticket or is it where everyone gets one? Also, I'm not sure, but are there any other vendors or just volks? I wonder if the anime conventions might have more variety for considering taking a vacation. Does Volks attend any other events than their own?

 

Can't help with lottery info because I dunno either, but I do know Volks attended Anime Expo when I was there (2015 I think) but they only had Dollfie Dream stuff there. And the past couple years I know they've done panels at San Diego Comic Con.

 

Last year, if I remember correctly, you fill out an online form to enter for the tea party lottery. Only one entry allowed per person. Winners of the lottery were notified in advance, so you knew whether or not you could attend the tea party prior to the dolpa.

There was a table selling very nice kimonos, and I'm not sure if they were part of Volks, but other than that, everything else was all Volks.

 

@TheBodyVolcanic You are welcome! Glad to help! If you love lolita and Btssb, you should go stalk the Volks DearSD thread as they will be releasing DearSD in Btssb in March for lottery! Volks is hinting at a Super Dollfie x Btssb surprise. I think our wallets are going to cry!

The lottery was one online registration, per person and it was not transferable. So that means if your boyfriend or partner (that maybe wasn't into the hobby) got in and their significant other did not get in, Volks would not switch the entries. Some people cancelled going because either they could not get in or a friend could not get in. People were sent emails in advance and then paid for their entry in.

@Pixie-Pan Everything in the Dealer Room in 2015 LA Dolpa was brought (and sold through) by Volks but they did bring some items that were made by Japanese dealers to sell at the event. If you go to one of the Volks shops in Japan, each shop usually has a section of those dealer items. I can't recall who made the kimonos but they were not made by Volks. But Volks has their own kimonos that they sell usually through Tenshi no Sato.

However, back in 2007 LA Dolpa they did allow vendors to sign up and pay for a booth space. I believe that was the last time outside dealers were allowed at Dolpa.

I think it's great to see people come in Lolita clothing and have matching dolls! Volks seems to definitely welcome people who make the effort to dress up.

 

I'm definitely going to enter for the DearSD lottery in March!!! It would be AMAZING to get one and be able to dress up along with my doll in BTSSB for Dolpa. I'm trying not to get my hopes up though, it'll be my first lottery and I don't want to let myself get too disappointed if I don't win one
Each person is allowed to enter for multiple dolls though, correct? Just one entry per person per item? I want to make sure so I don't mess up and get banned from purchasing, that'd be awful.
My plan is to enter but if I don't win, I'll save that money for Dolpa and try entering for something there. LOL...

 

Hopefully we will know more details soon. It would be nice if there will be event special things that aren't too limited. Last time I didn't really get anything Dolpa specific (my number is one of the latter ones and the ones I liked were all gone by the time I entered the room).

Maybe we could do DoA name tags for something. It would be great to meet more people at the Dolpa. I had a great time talking to a couple wonderful DoA members last time but overall I'm not very good at approaching strangers and starting conversations

 

I'm just excited to go to the event XD I'm not one for Tea Parties so I don't mind passing on that part lol. Volks was the first company that I knew of when I joined the hobby and my first dolls were all Volks. I only have 4 left now and I'm still figuring out who to bring lol XD It'll also be nice to see what Volks has to offer after all these years in person And get to chat with other owners too! (Hopefully, I'm terribly shy :P)

 

I'm brand new to the hobby and I'm not planning on buying a Volks doll anytime soon, but I live super close to Anaheim. Would it still be worth it for me to go and check it out? Is there much to do outside of the Tea Party? I'm super nervous about talking to people but I want to try

 

Yeah from what I understand there's lots of fun to be had aside from the tea party I'm mostly going b/c I love Volks, and love going to meets/cons and seeing doll people IRL. Annnd I'm *hoping* to maybe enter some lotteries and see if I can get a doll there but that's a big maybe hahaha. I think you should go, you can meet doll people which is always cool. I'm really shy/nervous w/ people too, but I always have a good time at meets and cons, and have managed to make friends every time, some of whom I have kept contact with and seen again~!

So yeah come!! And if you do, hit me up if you see me! The two dolls in my profile pic will be with me so I should be obvious x') lmao

 

Thanks for the info, I'll go ahead and mark it on my calendar. I'm excited!

@TheBodyVolcanic Thank you, I'll keep an eye out for you

 

I'm so excited for this, I love Volks and I love Disney and to be able to do both would be a dream come true!

 

Oh I would love to go, I really like Volks, I have 3 boys Hijikata, Okita and Kei and I love them completely, as well as my DD Len Kagamine.
What makes me nervous is the language because I speak very little English, my main language is Spanish, and nobody from my country will go. So practically no I know anyone. Even so I try to go because at that time I have a vacations and thinking with my family going to USA *-*

 

You should go! I think you'll find that a lot of people in Southern California speak Spanish (myself included). It sounds like you have a great collection!

On another note, I really hope they announce when we can apply for the Tea Party soon!

 

Thanks!!! I will seriously consider going to this event
Oh my collection is big! I have 4 dolls from Volks now but in May I will travel to Japan, so I hope to buy some other baby out there

 

@paxita Oh I'm so happy for you that you get to go to Japan! If you adopt a baby please share pictures!

 

So it looks like LA Dolpa 2017 is back to a 2 day event! Friday Sept 1 & Saturday Sept. 2 …..

 

O-kaaaaaaaay... good thing our hotel reservation is for Thursday arrival

Friday sounds nice for fans of DD so far. Wonder if they'll add any SD-relevant workshop?

 

OMG! I'm glad it will be two-day, that sounds like a lot of fun! Though I'm not a DD person at all so I hope they do add SD panels hahaha. I really hope I can go to the tea party too I'm really excited for this!

 

I got this answear from Volks in FB about the first day:
"The main Dolls Party in LA event will be on Sept. 2nd, but a special workshop will be held on September 1st, for those who arrive to Los Angeles early."

 

Ah thank you for that clarification! I'm gonna go early anyway because I don't live far, so I'll probably check the workshop out even if it's just for DDs. I have an Angel Philia vinyl girl so maybe info about vinyl would still be relevent hahaha.
Hopefully gonna make my hotel reservation soon! I'm super excited ;w;

 

Oh yay! I'm so excited to see an event in LA. Definitely going to mark my calendar for this one.

 

I'm planning to be there, I live in San Diego so it's just a little drive! What do you think, though, should I take one of my vintage Volks dolls or my sweet little DearSD?

 

Why not both? ;D
I'm hoping to bring my SDCute, SDMidi, and the DearSD I should be receiving in May :'3 but we'll see if that's too much to carry lol.

 

Hmmm, well even if everyone isn't interested in the DD workshop, we can always have a fun mini meetup/swapmeet in the hotel lobby area like last time on Friday night!

And it's your call on who you bring, TheBodyVolcanic, but if you have an extra pair of hands to help you carry the dolls... the more the merrier! But if it's just you, DearSD dolls are pretty hefty little girls. So it's something to keep in mind.

 

Anyone know how to sell stuff at the event? Like in the dealer room? I'm thinking about making jewelry for BJDs and selling it... I just dont know how it works to be a vendor though.

 

@Snotty cat Volks doesn't do a dealer room for the LA event, at least they didn't last time. They do sell items but it's pretty much all of their own stuff.

The selling most people are referring to happened after the event was over, and we all just hung out in the hotel lobby chatting and buying off each other.

 

Ooohhh, ok! Guess thats the place to be then

 

We had a massive amount of individual room-sales last time! I forget how anyone organized it, but when I was there I just wandered the halls looking for room-sale signs or listening for rumors of who was having a good sale. We also had some random swap-meet activity type things going on in the lounge areas later on. I picked up a few terrific items here-and-there.

Volks just sold their own stuff in the main Dolpa room, and there wasn't much beyond the FCS dolls du jour, the SD16 girls, some kimonos, and some random sumika goods. Nothing really new. I just bought a pair of hands so I could be seen buying something. Unless you're really into frilly girl stuff, they don't generally have much interesting.

I'm waiting to buy my hotel&airfare till later, when Volks is really-really-truly sure what days they're going to pick. And I hope that the bartenders at this place are as up to my challenges as the ones at the LAX Marriott were last time... the LAX folks set a high standard. I will be grading them on their Dark'n'Stormys.