Volks NYC Dolpa, June 19-20th, 2010.

I emailed Volks about the Dolpa, here are my questions and their response as I hope it helps others ^_^

I edited a bunch of my stuff out and their stuff (which consisted of me telling them how excited I am and I love the limited items so far and them being super nice and saying they are happy to help) and I am just putting the questions up in order to save some space

Me:
1) Will we be able to pick up our pre-oreder limited items (outfits/dolls) at the dolpa or will they be shipped to us at a different time?
2) Will there be a FDQ limited as well as the limited YoSD? If so, do you know when it will be announced?
3) Will we be able to purchase the book Another Yourself at the dolpa or will it be a pre-order and will we have access to the pre-order limited doll?
4) Do you know which FCS options will be available? I am wanting a SD F35 and a MSD F20

Volks:
1) We do not yet have this information available unfortunately, please keep
watching as we hope to be able to announce this relatively soon.

2) We do not have information regarding what FDQ may be releasing as they
work seperately with Volks Japan for their Limited releases. Any information
from them will be released on their website, so we recommend that you watch
there.

3)As with our Limited items, we are not yet sure of the details of the Another
Yourself release.

4) As far as we know, we will be having Volks USA's basic lineup available for the
Full Choice System at Dolpa New York. Unfortunately the F35 and MSD F20 are
not part of our lineup because they are only available at Tenshi-no-Sato in Kyoto.
However, please keep watch for more details.

 

So we also need to send a few questions to FDQ, too? ^_^

 

Lol, I actually felt a bit bad about emailing them with so many questions, but they stated that they wanted us to contact them in the blog and I really wanted to tell them how excited I was and pleased with what the dolpa was offering thus far. I figured it couldn't hurt to ask ^_^ They are always so nice I am not sure if I want to email FDQ yet or not...I am dreading them releasing a doll I cannot live without!

 

From Fashion Doll Quarterly's "Events" page:

I don't guess they could have been any clearer - sounds as though they've got an exclusive / limited doll as well!

This is going to be a _wonderful_ Dolpa!

Comicbookartistboi - If you've not been before, I guess you are a newbie to Dolpa by definition. (Dolpa virgin?) Decidedly nothing to be ashamed of, and far better to get answers to pressing questions _before_ showing up and making a huge faux-pas! (sp? My French isn't so good . . .) There may well be shy others with the same questions, so it's all good.

~Bruce

 

Well I think we should wait for Pat to update her side; I am pretty sure all of the details are not yet completed. In the past they usually release information like 8-5 weeks in advance so I would wait until late April then ask questions

 

This is what I was thinking...Volks openly stated we could contact them and what not, but FDQ has not updated anything yet, so I might wait for further details. Plus, VolksUSA did suggest watching the FDQ website for updates.

 

As long as you keep the doll in their carrier, then it should be fine.

 

Hubs and I plan on going! Hopefully work won't keep him home this year I'm really hoping for Sato FCS, cause I've been wanting an F35 with Shinku makeup for a while.

 

this is gonna be so much fun Dolpa seems to be such a cultural event, and that makes me so glad that i can attend this year LOL

 

Well, it seems like Kurr is going to be tagging along as my guest this year So much dolly fun in one weekend- I don't think I can handle it! Eeek! (Kurr and I have been constantly obsessing over NYC Dolpa for the last day or so xD )

 

Cool! Tell Kurr I look forward to finally meeting her! And you too, of course. ^^

 

It really does take over your brain. My first Dolpa was simply magical. I was honestly over run with emotion at the sight of the dolls all dressed up on display and the shear numbers of doll fans in attendance. It was like I was surrounded by people who just 'get it'. You can actually speak dolly lingo and they understand! No explaining about what a ball joint is, where the dolls come from or why they are so expensive like the usual conversations I have with non-doll folks. It was just so nice to be so open with my dolls and be welcomed openly in such a large group. I made a lot of friends, spent time with a lot of my online friends and even met some of the DoA mods I pester with my questions.
And just when you think you've seen it all, Mr. S breaks out the lottery box and the happy tears begin. The anticipation of your number being called is maddening and the more people win, the more anxious and excited you get. I had to triple check my number when Mr. S called me because I couldn't believe it was me. My hands were shaking so much I could barely write my name on the award slip. LOL Who know dolls could make you so happy? I guess Volks did.
You will have a blast!

 

I agree, Dolpa does take over your brain! I actually dreamed about the dolpa last night lol. My poor friends (who have been to several dolpas) have had to deal with my insensate questions. I am so happy that there will be other dolpa first timers there as well, plus dolpa regulars to help us newbies learn the ropes

 

My time off request was approved, so I am definitely going. I've gone to all of the NY Dolpas so far and I can't wait!

Saving up money for the one-offs and waiting to see what the FDQ exclusive will be. If I don't win anything (or don't want anything), I'm going to buy the mother of all laptops when I get home from NY!

 

I'm a noob too!!! It will be my first Dolpa in the 6 years I've been in the hobby and i'm super excited!!! I'll be going with Enki and hoping to get my F-16 order
I can't wait to meet everybody!!!
-Pandora-

 

@JennyNemesis: Will do!
Lol so today I was talking to my Dad about my plans, and he told me that Volks/Volk in German roughly translates as 'people' into English. I was surprised, as it fits quite well! :3

@NabeeRain: I actually dreamed about it the other night too! >.> It was such an awesome dream too. D:

 

This will be my first Dolpa as well. I am super excited!!!!

 

Yay, we are all going to have so much fun! Armeleia I am glad you can make it! There are so many people I want to meet in person

Carmen171 you will be in good company, it seems it is the first dolpa for quite a few of us ^_^

taintedrose Lol, we are becoming so obsessed Volks is haunting our dreams But, I just can not help but be excited

I think your father is right. Volk/Volks is a German word that translates into people (at least that is what my friend who took several years of German has told me).

 

Volks = Folks = People?
I definitely could see how that makes sense
-Pandora-

 

PandorasToyBox It does make sense lol. I find it so funny that we have been collecting for 6 years and this is our first event (I started in 2004 as well). It must be our locations (I see you are in Florida and I am in the Midwest). Plus, every year before this I always have spent my money on a doll or had to work during the dolpa times.

Speaking of being in this hobby since 2004, I have 2 girls who really need to see the doll doctor. Neither have been restrung or had anything done to them since I bought them and one is from 2004 and the other from 2005. I take that back, Nono has had a faceup. But poor SwD Mimi...she is as floopy as floppy gets and does not pose very well at all. Nono has the weird knee that is from after the old body but right before the pure skin knee they use now. The poor thing can not hold a pose to save her life!

Can we only bring one doll to the doctor?

 

I don't think so? I've only brought one doll to the Dolly Doctor in the US, but I think you can bring two. You just might need to put your name on the list twice. Usually the Dolly Doctor opens nearly as soon as the Dolpa starts on Saturday morning and people add their names to the list through out the day.

I know they're quite good with older dolls.

 

And How! I usually have been busy with work or too scared to go by myself, but I finally have a Volks buddy (most of my friends don't dare own volks because of the ticket price )
I don't have a real job this year, so it is a definite must that I go! (I'm getting there all on comissioned works... My poor little sewing and painting fingers will love the 4 day vacation they'll get to enjoy at the Dolpa)

In any case I'm SUPER excited
I found some really inexpensive airline tickets too, so that definitely helps.
-Pandora-

 

A question to previous attendees: how late does Dolpa run? Particularly on the last day (Sunday)? Is there a closing ceremony or something? I'm looking at travel arrangements and one option requires I get an early(-ish) start the next day to catch a flight.

 

I'm still looking for inexpensive flights from Miami, if you don't mind my asking what airline areyou taking? Oh and also anyone have any idea what time it starts on Saturday & Sunday????

 

for the first NY Dolpa, the main event/banquet was on sunday night but the 2nd and 3rd, the banquet/event was Saturday late afternoon/evening and Sunday was workshops and sales. We left mid-afternoon on Sunday. did not stay for the wokshops. I hope they have the same schedule this year as it is not easy getting out of NY late Sunday and there are many that have to be at work Monday morning. - barb

 

It depends on how busy they are-- for one NY or LA Dolpa I went to (now I can't recall which), the Salon line ran down by lunchtime, & there was nobody waiting for the rest of the afternoon. They let me just step up & bring my second boy in there for a gratuitous restringing. But at other Dolpas where the line stayed full all day, it was 1 doll at a time per person.

Of course, you can always ask when you get there. Maybe they'd make an exception, if you have a job they're really interested in. ^^

But just in case it stays crowded, & you do only get 1 chance, practice good dolly emergency-room triage: get your worst-case patient taken care of first!

 

Thank you JennyNemesis and rkold I will have to have my doll friends look over my 2 girls with me just in case we can only bring one doll to the doctor, that way we can make sure my worst-case patient is taken care of first ^_^

 

I am hoping for the same schedule because I already booked a flight to leave at 4:30PM (not that I have too much choices since that was the only flight out) and I have to come back to work on Monday

They did the same with LADP so I think they will probably keep the same schedule since that seem to work out better

 

Yes, I was wondering about the times of the events as well, since I plan on being there for all of Saturday and plan on leaving Sunday late afternoon/evening-ish. When is the FCS offered? Is it all day both days, just Saturday? That's one of the main reasons I'm going to Dolpa this year haha xD Examples from previous years are more than welcome! (And I hope the dinner party-thingy is on Saturday too~ )

 

@Lisianthus: Thanks for the info, including the history lesson.

Got my ticket now. Guess I'll see you guys there!

 

I'm saving for next year...is there anything I should know? I will be looking for roomies next year but since the few I do know from my own meetup group, I doubt any will be going...I'm very shy around those I don't know...and half wonder if it is a good idea to go alone. I hate rooming alone though...

 

I'm planning on coming! I'm a little nervous though, because I don't have any Volks buddies to try and drag with me. There are so many people and dolls that I would like to meet, so I'll try not to be shy and stare awkwardly. I'm guessing there are quite a few people who show up solo and meet others? Due to looming grad school fees, I probably can't afford to win a one-off or go for a limited (not that I've ever won anything before in my life ), but I'm hoping there will be a nice outfit or two for my girls.

 

For both the 2007 & 2008 dolpas, I flew up to NYC by myself, and just met up with people that I knew from my LJ friends list when I got there. It helps when you're at the dolpa too, that almost everyone is pretty friendly and willing to talk, and the Volks staff is really nice and will come up to you to talk, too. This will actually be my first year traveling with someone else and not just getting up there myself. I'm also really excited to see what kind of clothes they'll bring for us! The 2008 dolpa had some really great outfits for sale on Sunday, with the limited items sale. I hope they'll do something like that this year, too!

 

Hi NabeeRain, Usually the answer to your question is yes, only one "sick" doll needing the Doctor's per person. But if you are coming with a friend, they could sign up too and take a second doll in to see the Doctor for you. I helped a friend here on DoA do this one year, so if you can't get anyone else to help you, LMK and I'll go see the Doctor with you.

Hi Rynn, I don't mean to butt in here, but unless you planning on ordering a FCS doll or bidding on a One-Off, you could probably go to NYC Dolpa for less than $3K. And you could probably find a roommate here amongst DoA friends. I was very shy as child, but when I started highschool I made a conscience decision to change and not let my shyness hold me back from meeting people or trying new things. You could use the experience of attending Dolpa as the "line in the sand" for trying to put your shyness behind you, even if you only manage to do it for the Dolpa weekend, you'll have a blast!!! Come on, you'll be among dolls you love, friends you know here on DoA,and you'll probably become even deeper friends once you meet eachother in person, what could be better?! Hope to you'll decide to come to Dolpa this year, even if it means dining "al fresco" standing on the sidewalk at Gray's Papaya eating their $3 Recession Special (aka 2 Hotdogs w/toppings & a drink). Anyway, whenever you can come, I really just want you to know how much fun we all have. Good luck with your savings and fantastic New Year's resolution!

Hugs, Juli DC

 

Yeah, I'd like to attempt both. Be my first and I'd like to be covered in case a One-Off caught my eye. And I have my eye on at least 3 FCS SDs, two girls and a boy, but the boy's Sato only. So if I didn't win, I could at least order one girl and then come home and get him.

And you did not butt in! I thank you actually. ^_^ It helps a lot.

 

Does anyone remember who made the great name tag for 2008? I have copy of it, and I'd like to edit it for 2010, but I can't remember who to ask permission from. Or does anyone know if the person who made the 2008 tag is planning to release a 2010 tag, too?

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels near the site of the convention? I've never been to NYC before, so I don't really know anything about it.

 

Would it be alright to bring other dolls to Dolpa? Not to Dolpa, but to NY is what I meant. Like I doubt I could travel without at least bringing my El. He wouldn't attend Dolpa as I know that's Volks only, but does anyone do that? Or would I be better off just bringing my Akira (Maki) and Kohji (Ken) since they're brothers and both Volks?

 

I think it was mentioned earlier. There are usually other meetups outside of Dollpa that all dolls are welcome to attend. ^__^
I don't know that there are any planned yet though.

 

Cat, a bunch of us from Pittsburgh are staying at the Chelsea Savoy. We're sharing rooms to save some money. We've got Kristi, Jamie, Janine, Susan and possibly me so far. PM me your email and I'll add you to the email discussion we've been having.

 

I had a few more questions for everyone and anyone ...

Does anyone know about when the pre-order for the Yos will start and how long it lasts? Does Volks just give you a few days or a month or so?

Will the pre-order be announced to everyone or only to those who purchase tickets?

Thank you

 

All of your questions are answered in the VolksUSA blog about Dolpa.
Registration, and therefore the pre-order period, will be from April 10 until May 2. Pre-order is only available to those attending, or the order will be cancelled. Hope that helps!

 

Are there more pictures of the limited Yo's?

 

Here are links to all of the limited items:

Yo-SD Girl Little Alice
Yo-SD Girl Little Lorina
Yo-SD Boy White Rabbit
Yo-SD Boy White Rabbit Sweet Dream Version
Yo-SD Optional Item “Alice’s ‘Turn the Key’ set"
Yo-SD Optional Item “White Rabbit’s ‘Don’t Be Late’ set"
Designer Collection “Opera Pink Cat” for SD Girls, SD13 Girls, DD (M/L Bust Only)

 

thesaraghina, thank you for the links!

Do the Turn the Key set and the Don't be late set come with hands? (and I love the opera pink cat set)

 

Do the Turn the Key set and the Don't be late set come with hands?
Yes and Yes. ^____^

 

The Opera Pink Cat outfit is so cute! I wish I could go this year and get it, but I also have no one to wear it!

 

We just booked our flight and hotel for Dolpa... and got a really good rate going through expedia on both. 3 nights hotel + airfare was around $482 per person!

This is where we're staying:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1408

The rates are pretty good and it's closer to FIT than the Gershwin. (We're not staying at the Gershwin again - the rooms have gotten steadily worse every time we've stayed.) Just wanted to post in case anyone was still hotel hunting.

 

And I am confirmed for hotel and plane tickets, whoohoo! I can't wait to see everybody this year. Little Lorina is sooooo definitely coming home to me. XD Now I just need to decide which of my dollies gets to go a-visiting.

 

i never been to this even but would love to go. i heard there is a sign up list and now everyone can attend.
exactly how does this work? ^ ^

 

Thanks! I guess I didn't think about the pre-order dates being the same as the ticket sales. I'm interested to see the US prices on all the Yos too... I think...

 

Thanks for this!

 

Oh Alice and Lorena are so tempting. I wish they were bringing the Mysterious Hatter set over too.

 

Alright, time for another stupid question: can we only buy the optional clothing sets for the same doll we're getting? Because I like the White Rabbit's set, but I'm more likely to get one of the girls.

I really want VolksUSA to put pictures of the items up soon, theirs are usually bigger and nicer than the Japanese ones.

 

Not quite everyone. ^^; All VolksUSA and/or FDQ members can attend. If you are not a VolksUSA member or a subscriber to FDQ you can only attend if someone brings you as their guest and that person must sign you up as their guest when they put in for their ticket.

VolksUSA will be making more announcements and taking names of eligible attendees starting April 10.

Hope this helps!

 

The Turn key set comes with white skin hands though

 

I know that we're all excited about this event, but just a reminder that requests to have someone order a doll are considered soliciting outside of the Marketplace. Additionally, WTBs cannot be posted in the Marketplace until the pre-order period begins.

 

I want to go.....i do have a volks member card. But i thought they said if too many people sign up the tickets become a raffle.....and i don't want to book my flight and hotel until i know for sure that i will have a ticket to get in....... I am a little confused as i have never had the chance to go to a volks dolpa before. Will they have the FCS there? as in i don't have to go all the way to LA for it? *giddy*

 

In 2008 I talked with several ladies who were staying in NJ and traveling into the city both days for Dolpa. They said it was much more affordable as far as hotel rates and only took a few minutes, but as we were in line for limited items I didn't have a lot of chance to speak with them. Is anyone else doing this, or has done this at the past Dolpas? I do not particularly want to take a car into NYC again, and like the idea of commuting in, at least in theory!

 

It is possible to stay in NJ or outside of the city and commute in. For all 3 previous Dolpas, I stayed in White Plains and took the train into the city every day. For NJ, you can take the PATH train, I believe it is. I've done it a few times going into Manhattan for manga shopping.