Do you think doll cons are a bad idea?

I've never been to a doll convention, but I've been to a convention, and I've seen people with BJDs there. (Artist alley and walking around) I've wanted to take my doll to it, but I didn't have a doll at the time to, and I still want to. I might even make a cosplay for him/her (depends what doll I want to bring). I think they can be fun, but I also think you need to pay attention to your doll, if you're scared about it getting taken, hold onto it and don't take your eyes off of it. If you're too scared, I wouldn't take a doll with me.

Of course a dolly can get stolen, anything can get stolen, at any time. And I'd hope that no one would do such a thing, especially at a doll convention!

 

I've thought about going to one out of curiosity, but the only doll I'd consider taking is my Tiny Delf Dorothy. She's small enough that it wouldn't be a hassle to carry her everywhere, and I doubt anyone would want her badly enough to snatch her away from me. Although, I'm not sure what the point in bringing a doll would be? Would it be rude to not bring one - like if you went to a potluck without taking any food? I'm unfamiliar with doll con etiquette...

 

Dolls aren't required anywhere. You don't have to bring one to a con. You don't even have to bring one to a doll meetup! Doll owners are usually pretty easy-going about that. Etiquette usually is more important when it comes to touching other people's dolls (as in, you should ask first and not be upset if someone says they don't want others to touch their doll). And sometimes there are rules about under-age people or kids running about without adult supervision. But sometimes not even that applies.

Doll cons... I like to bring a doll or two, but sometimes I will leave them in my room because I want to do stuff (shop or go to panels) and I don't want to carry a doll around. And sometimes, if I'm buying a lot of things or another doll, I won't want to bring a doll that will take up too much space that I will need for carrying things back home. So dolls are definitely not required for a doll con, and can be a bit of a negative... unless you are participating in a costume contest or wish to show your doll to others.

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Good recommendation about keeping the Do Not Disturb sign out when at a hotel!!! Makes a lot of sense!

 

To me, the point of bringing my dolls is so I can have them try on the various outfits and accessories on sale, so I can see how things look on the doll before buying them. Also, it's fun to take pictures of my guys and gals with other people's dolls that they don't normally get to meet.

 

This.

When I had mostly minis, I used to take one to the local doll shows to check furniture and such for scale. I just carried him since he was small and fairly light, and I put him in my huge handbag when I went to the WC.

One of my then-acquaintances used to take her bigger dolls out in a baby's umbrella stroller so her hands would be free to shop. That always seemed like a good idea.

 

I'm really looking foreward to going to this year's LDoll convention. Some of my meet-up group went last year and had an awesome time. I've been to anime/game cons and they were good fun, despite being insanely packed with people. I'm not usually great in crowded areas but the atmoshpere at cons, the sharing of a common interest, makes you feel like a part of the community so i'm less awkward. There's so much to see as well! I'm not sure if i'll bring a doll to my first doll con, probably, i'll just make sure she's with me or somewhere secure at all times.

 

I think doll 'Cons are a fantastic idea. I've not yet been to one (but am planning to go to Dollism in NY) but when I go to DragonCon I carry a doll with me about 90% of the time, even though it's definitely NOT a bjd con. It's an ice breaker for meeting people, and also helps you find the other doll people around. I only left the dolls in the hotel room during the evening concerts and such, when the panels are over so there are tens of thousands of people all crammed together in the hotel concourses. If I have to step away, I either leave the doll with the people I'm with (often my sister and her husband), or once or twice I've left them with other doll people. Otherwise they go with me, and for bathroom breaks they either go in or sit on my purse, hanging on a hook.

Anything can be stolen anywhere. Just use common sense and have fun.

 

I would LOVE to go to a dolly con. I go to a lot of anime conventions, but I would specifically love to go to a doll con just because I don't know that I would ever feel truly secure in bringing a doll to an anime convention where I'll be cosplaying most if not all of the weekend. I wouldn't want to let any doll out of my sight, and it seems counter-productive to me to bring one to the con only to leave in the hotel room while I'm cosplaying and then have him potentially be stolen. D; That would just be horrible. BUT other than that, I would really enjoy the thought of being able to try outfits and accessories on my doll. Meeting other people with common interests is always a great bonus at cons, but I could really see myself blowing a paycheck or two in a merchant alley at a dolly convention.

 

Doll cons are wonderful! I've only been to Dolliverse and Ldoll, but at both conventions people are very polite and careful around other people's dolls, no touching without asking and people look out for each other and their dolls. Just make sure you keep an eye on your doll, as you would anywhere, and that you don't take more dolls than you can handle. It's very tempting to take your whole collection, but remember you're going to walk around with them all day! I usually have a booth when I go to doll conventions, so I have a place to keep my dolls and family who helps me out to keep an eye on them, but when I walk around and take a doll with me, I choose the doll I want to buy things for. This is usually the same, very spoiled doll XD Just go by your common sense and have fun!

 

I went to Hong Kong Dollism Plus and it was absolutely amazing! You could see incredible amount of dolls and beautiful doll-related and exclusive goods. I am absolutely going again next year. Believe me it is an awesome experience. Unfortunately there were definitely cases where dolls got stolen in the past. My advice would be to always keep your dolls in your arms nno matter what. If you need to go to the rest room you could ask a friend to hold the doll for you and not letting it go until you return

 

Interesting thread, unless im a seller, I would leave my dolls home, I'm planning on buying anything I can, so I want to be free to carry things....
As a suggestion, maybe they should start giving people numbered tickets, like department store dressing rooms, a detailed receipt of who you and your dolls are, that you came in with and check everyone as they exit...it may be a lengthy process, but helpful

 

I went to my first dolly con last year with my young daughter, and we brought along only two of our dolls - a Soom Little Genie and an Iplehouse SID. They were no bother at all, peeking out of a backpack and easily available to check the size for accessories. We had a lot of fun, bought several silly accessories and enjoyed visiting the corner where a slew of BJD owners were hanging out and photographing their dolls (which, having seen one in person, lead to our combined ooo-aaaw, and current wait for, an oh-so-adorable Fairyland Realpuki). Don't leave your stuff alone, and what could go wrong? Use a bit of common sense and you'll love the dolly con experience for sure!

 

A doll con sounds amazing!!!! It does sound like a good place to get your doll stolen for sure, but keeping your eyes open should prevent most theft, right?
I wish there were doll cons where I live!!! That sounds amazing.

 

I take dolls to Dragon Con. I keep my stuff with me & make sure the room's secure if I leave ANY of my possessions there (of course at D*C the maids AREN'T going to come in the room period LOL). I want to go to the Con in Niagara & if I do I certainly will take a doll. Have a carry bag, don't just leave them for somebody to watch, & you will be fine! I also don't take my most expensive or delicate dolls to conventions - mostly because I don't want them bumped or hurt rather than fear of theft.

 

Are you sure there aren't any? I know the west coast has plenty of them - I'm pretty sure there was one in San Diego just this month. You should look at convention schedules online, just in case. That's what I did, and I was completely surprised to find out that there is a relatively large one held annually only about twenty minutes from my house.

 

I wouldn't personally take my doll to a public place where there are other doll-lovers. I just wouldn't. And I never take more than I can handle out at a time for a photo shoot--which is two.

 

Totally Awesome! If I had the money, I'd be heading to New York for Dollism!

It take my dolls to anime conventions, and here's how I combat theft:
I ALWAYS KEEP MY DOLLS WITH ME.

I bring a carrier or a bag to store them in, and even if I'll be in the bathroom for two minutes, I pack them up and hang them on the hook in the stall. When I get pictures taken, I place the doll or the bag on one of my feet so that I can feel it there.

 

Doll cons sound amazing! . I've never personally been to one, since timing always seems to be off . For example, I'll be heading to Taiwan this year but their doll con is in Feb >.<. Definitely want to see if I can make it to Dollism but since I would have just come back...I'll probably have no money to go haha.

For the past two years I have taken my Dolls to Anime North though (they do have Doll events to organized by DollNorth) and it's been generally a good experience. I always have them in hand, and my friends hold onto them if I need to go to the bathroom, or even when I want to go to a crowded area. I did bring two the first year I did this and my arms were so sore holding them in the same position . Unfortunately theft will always be an issue and if thieves want to steal something they will >.<. I always worry when I see people display their smaller sized dolls on Dealer's tables too because it would be so easy for someone to just slip them in their pocket. But I haven't heard any horror stories thankfully from friends that help in DollNorth so hopefully dishonest people will continue to stay away .

 

I have been to one, and there was nothing but good people and good times. I don't think random passerby's even know the value of these dolls upon a first glance, so they more than likely aren't something that would be stolen because of value. But it's a risk one takes whenever they take anything expensive out of the house.