How to Tote Many at a Meetup or Convention?

I carried multiple dolls in a Dollmore Duble carrier...it fit really well in the overhead compartment. My total was 16, but eight were Yo size or smaller.

 

Is there any company made bags similar to the Dollmore Double carrier?

 

My friend uses a backpack with padding in it for her dolls. She can fit 3 SDs no problem, but has been able to fit 3 SDs along with 2 MSDs with padding. c:

 

*bumping this up for more ideas!*

 

I didn't have anything to carry dolls in and I wanted to take some on vacation. I found a large duffel bag and I wrapped the dolls in their pillows and a blanket. I think I managed 7 SD's. It was heavy though...couldn't carry it around for long!

 

I was wondering if any of you have used the coolcat MSD carrer or the dollzone MSD carrer for your MSD also dose the carrers stain your MSD's. I want to Hazuki one of these so l was wondering.

 

Two words: giant purse.....I use this big hobo bag for doll meets than can EASILY hold 2 MSDs or a slightly folded SD (I havent tried my 70cm but he's so heavy he'd kill my back x__x) and inbetween my dolls I put the pillows they came with and tie them to the pillows with ribbon so they don't hit one another.....a big purse can be easily modified to carry dolls plus you can take your dolls with you anywhere you go and no one else has to know!

 

My mom gave me a bag that I think is meant for carrying wine bottles. It's well padded and divided into 6 compartments. Their heads would probably show if tall, but if I carry them in a purse then the head usually is looking out anyways. It looks to be perfect for the dolls though.

 

My mother bought a baby carriage/stroller thing at a thrift store and that's what she pushes them around in.
I usually carry mine in a large, pretty basket. When shopping, I try to just bring one of each "size" with me, though that is becoming heavier and heavier. I have (depending upon how you count it) about 20 dolls now, so I've been eyeballing strollers/baby carriages/prams myself.

I also have a wheelchair (Prop from a show years ago) which I have used at conventions to haul non-doll stuff around. I wonder if I could turn it into a doll carrier...

I love the idea of a little wagon, too. Something with a long enough handle to carry around, but not so large as to be in the way in the crowd.

 

I wasn't sure where exactly to put this, and sorry if one already exists, so mods feel free to move or delete.


But! On to my question:
I'm not really looking for how you travel or store them whilst walking around. I have carriers and such, I was more looking along the lines of a way to not have to carry a bunch of bags.
I like to have my hands free while walking for hours at a con but I want to have my doll too.
And this year she has her own costume to play along with mine so I want her on display so to speak. So I was hoping for some way to show her off, but have her safe and close to me as well.
Any tips or ideas? :0
I think I've seen someone on here make a little shoulder chair of sorts for her doll? I can't remember who though.


((Those interested I'm going to be dressed as Medli from Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and my ResinSoul Lu as my Zora ancestor))

 

I've seen a few people wear a doll in a baby harness or sling. I've carried my Hound on my shoulder once - he sat astride my shoulder and I clipped a chain from his belt to my collar so if he got dislodged he wouldn't fall far (as it happened, he was pretty steady). My shoulder was really aching after a few hours though! And I really wouldn't want to do it with one of the Iplehouse EID boys!

 

A baby carrier might be a good choice for you, or some kind of sling? It'll keep your doll close by without loading down your arms

 

I have over 20 dolls, so I NEVER take them all out at once. lol Some people mentioned strollers earlier in this thread, and while it would be nice to not be packing the weight and have storage, I'd be so scared to turn my back for anything that I probably would end up not having fun at the con.

I have a doggy purse that I put mine in. lol The top of it is open and it's the perfect size for an SD to sit up and look out without being in danger of falling out. For MSD, I usually pack them in the crook of my arm. It gets stiff after awhile, but is easier and I have free hands. I have also carried a regular tote and had them standing in it, arms crossed over the top edge and looking out.

WolfyLee- Since you have a RS Lu, she weighs next to nothing and I'd just carry her. you could also strap her around your waist or make a baby carrier/sling type thing. nice choice on Lu, btw. I have one, and it's so rare to find another Lu owner. She's a very underappreciated sculpt, this girl deserves more recognition!

 

She is indeed, her body seems so much more different than some of their other sculpts, plus those ears and teeth! Am I right? xD
But it's not really a matter of her being heavy, its just I need my arms kinda free for how my costume works. I was thinking of making her a little harness type holder that attached to my belt, just slightly worried it might not be sturdy enough.

 

This year at ACen I took all 4 of my mini's to one of the scheduled doll meets. I simply tucked them into my arm in front of me and posed them to look like they were gawking at things at the con. I received a lot of compliments and 'aww''s from people walking by. An older man even said I looked like a little kid getting ready to drag myself and the dolls to bed (I was in a panda cozy, sooo comfortable!)

Not gonna lie though, carrying for mini's between two hotels became pretty tiring XD

 

Someone at DollAKon had her dolls strapped into one of those umbrella strollers for babies. You could see them and their outfits easily. I actually think she is a member her at DoA but don't know her ID!

 

I currently take my crew to meetups in a rolling craft tote but once my others get here, I'll probably have to use a suitcase to take all of them somewhere since they will no longer fit. The reason I use the craft tote over a suitcase right now is because I can just sit them down on the bottom and they don't really shift around. But with a suitcase I'd have to lay it down to open it, and I'd have to wrap them and put face covers on to keep from damaging them.

 

Once there to be seen? A child's wagon. However, be sure to have someone you trust keep an eye on the dolls in the wagon!!

To get them there? A rolling suitcase.

 

I've travelled a lot with my dolls.

If you just want to bring a lot of dolls, a suitcase or a doll carrier. I love my Dollzone carrier (the giant almost backpack one), as I can fit 4 SDs in it (a blanket only for padding).

If your going to be flying, I love my Coolcat's bag. It can hold 3 SDs with little padding. It has simi-hard sides and the dolls are able to be placed laying down, so eaiser for the x-ray scanners to see they are dolls. I've also used a suitcase but the dolls are generally folded up and cause questions from the x-ray scanners.

I recommend only carrying around 1 SD or 2 MSDs at a time. If you have the doll sit on your forearm, legs between your body and arm, it's actually rather secure way to hold your doll, and you can still have your second hand free if you need it. The Doll starts to fall backwards, you just tighten up your arm against yourself, until you can re-sit your doll.

I've seen people use strollers and wagons for toting around and/showing off their dolls at the same time. It's rather unnecessary and the vehicles just get in the way (expecially in dealer's rooms and panel hallways). If there is a meetup, bring your dolls all out, but otherwise one or two at a time is fine. If someone is really interested in your other dolls arrange to go see them or meetup later.