Travelling with your dolls: issues/ideas/etc. Part I

Never, and I've packed my dolls across country many a time. Had one time when one of my carryons wouldn't actually fit in the overhead compartment (connecting flights -- the ones on the wee small jets -- are a pain in the ass this way), but they let me pull my dolls (2 MSDs) and laptop out and stack them under the seat.

How far are you taking them and how? I have a Dollmore bag -- the double -- and I can get three SDs in that bad boy easily. One of them just gets bundled and sat on the laps of the other two. The bonus to the double is it is exactly the right size and shape to fit underneath a regulation airline seat (which is the primary reason I own one, that and it's HUGE). If I'm not flying, I put them in a rolling scrapbook tote (I have this one) which can hold 3 SDs with no problems at all. Again, one gets bundled and sat on the laps of the other two. (It holds my knitting supplies when it doesn't hold dolls. Multitasking FTW!)

 

Tez By plane between Texas and California and at some point, California and Sweden. Actually, this would be perfect if not for the fact that one of my boys is 70cm. xD I may just have to buy it and try out different positions. Also, the rolling scrapbook tote is a BRILLIANT idea. I may have to buy one and later get a double carrier for plane rides.

 

Personally, I would pack them up in their shipping boxes and send them ahead of me using the USPS, FedEx, or UPS. They are insured and I don't have to worry about getting them there in one piece. If you are staying in a hotel, inform the hotel ahead of time that you are sending packages and you would like them held for your arrival. Any hotel worth it's salt will hold them for you until you check in. I worked for a major hotel chain for 8 years and people did this ALL the time. We always had boxes in our back office awaiting a guest arrival.

Note: Make sure to write "Hold For Guest Check-In on 1/20/11" on the package

On returning home--reverse the process and ask the hotel to help you with a shipping method. Or, you can go online and ship to your home and pay for the cost right there. Use the hotel's address for pick up. It's really less complicated and while the whole thing costs a little money, it is worth not having your precious dollies broken, ruined or lost.

IMO

 

Ok, I know in advance that posting this *now* was probably not the brightest idea:

Tomorrow, I'm taking my doll (a DM Kid) to my classes (mostly to show one class, but I stay on campus all day) and I am set on not bringing her with my school stuff because there's probably not enough room, and I worry it's dirty from pens, pencils, and whatnot. The only issue is that I have no duffel bag, or long, narrow bag to put her in. What I do have are two regular, unmodded, backpacks. I was wondering if it was doable to transport her (with her pillows, face protector - even wig net and other supplies) inside of it?

Any ideas in such short notice?

 

The thing is that when I travel, I go to visit family. And I really don't want to ship my boys ahead of me if I do end up going to sweden as once again i'll be staying with family there. It seems like a bit of a hassle to pay all the shipping costs. And if I did take my boys with me, they would be in one of the bags Tez mentioned and would be a carryon.

 

wow this is short notice but some advice would be great xDD 3
i wanna take my 70cm boy with me to a doll meet on sunday ;w; but i have to travel by train
does anyone have any suggestions on what the best way to do that would be? ;w; or am i best just bringing someone smaller whos handbag size xD 3

 

I am gonna go about getting a longer sized duffel bag today that is long and narrow for my dolls since i have basically doubled my numbers over christmas >_<... but I agree with most people here, if you plan on traveling i wouldn't put it in checked baggage, and honestly if you can, dont put them in overhead, because there are a lot of people who think that if your bag is mendable that they can just smoosh their over-sized luggage and end up harming your doll. I am gonna be looking for something about the right length and narrow... or just make one of my own... as soon as your up in the sky usually it would be ok to remove it from under the seat and have it standing next to you (if its not too cramped). I wouldnt remove my dolls unless its a pretty empty flight (which is once in a blue moon now), not that i am embarrassed by them, just that i am pretty antisocial more often than not.

I would keep most of their accessories and such in checked baggage and not do much with them in travel if you do take them out. To better reduce risk of them losing items when you vacate the plane.

 

The only time I've flown with my dolls was a couple of months after I got my girl. She's an MSD slim, so I just stuffed her into my carry-on, with my purse and my laptop. The security dude asked me what was in there. (He saw her hair and her feet kind of sticking out.) I told him that it was a doll, and he smiled at me. I think he thought it was kind of funny. So, I didn't have any problems. Though, if I could do it again, I'd probably wrap my girl up in something to protect her from damage.

 

Last time I flew with a xmas gift for my boyfriend this past christmas. It was a Soom Euclase MD. I bubble wrapped him and put all the padding on that comes in the soom bag, Put more padding around, then put him in my luggage. His nails broke off in transit

I thought I had him fool proof wrapped for the abuse that happens with luggage. But the nails were too delicate ;.; When I've got money again I will replace them for him!

 

Hello DoA Members, im just wondering if your going away on a trip and your taking air plane can you bring your doll on as carry on? Im just wondering because im about to make my first order and if shes here before then I was going to being her on my trip.

Big hugs: Kelly

 

There is a thread about this. And yes you can.

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?197-Travelling-with-your-dolls-issues-ideas-etc.

 

I wish I had found this thread before I had to travel with one of my dollies Well, doens't matter, it's still interesting.

When going to Prague this past January I was afraid they would not let me take Phobos in the plane with me, so I stuffed the poor thing in my suitcase. Now, I own two very sturdy, hard suitcases, and my mom helped me pack him. I can proudly say I had the most incredible luck and he arrived without a single scratch on him. But when I came back I didn't want to push my luck again, and so I packed him in a backpack, and asked if I could take him up to the plane with me. I was told there would be no problem, and so he came back in the cabin with me.

I recommend asking beforehand, I don't think dolls are a problem in planes right now, but there's always the possibility of passing them as special luggage. They are checked in a special way, and you can take them into the cabin. It works for musical instruments and things like that, that are too expensive or too fragile...

 

x.x :P going tho air thingy omg i would watch her bening scanned and then take her as carry on and have a seat belt for her :P i dunno im farely new with this. Im trying to work the its my b-day soon can i have one plz!

Big hugs:
AP

 

I am going to be moving across country soon and wanted to know how most of you have handled the packing, handling and moving of your dolls. I will be hiring a moving company to move my things, so I'm torn on wither to:

- pack them very well and let my dolls go in the big truck or
- pack them very well and ship them ahead to my new address by either UPS or FedEx with loads of insurance.

I will by flying between my old home and the new and can't see taking them in my carry on luggage (and I don't trust them to go in checked baggage). Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Are taking them on the plane completely out of the question? I have flown with a Volks MSD and YoSD size doll with my in my purse (seperate from my carry on) and they were fine. Just wrap them up in a blanket and take them in a large purse with you, I brought a tote. For your DD, fold her up a bit (try to get her legs near her chest).. I really think they'd be fine if you could do it.

If that doesn't work, I'd only trust shipping. The truck would be questionable, as you don't know how people will handle them. I hate shipping dolls, however, so I'd prefer to take them on the plane with me. Plus, it's nice to have them below my feet / between my legs so I KNOW they are safe and can check on them frequently.

 

I'm not dead set against taking them as carry on, just leery of it since I know the bag checks are very very through and I don't want to be told that they can't be taken on board and must be checked as baggage.

I know what you mean on shipping, I'm leery of letting them go anywhere without me now that they are here and unharmed.

I appreciate the tips! I just want my girls to get there in one piece. =)

 

They should let the dolls through as a carry on : )

My friend just took hers on a trip by plane and she had him sitting in her lap the whole time

the most theyll do is ask you about it and ask to see the dolls, I have really only heard decent storys about taking your dolls traveling via plane.

I think youll be fine taking them that way

(and the one my friend took was a 70cm so size isnt a problem)

also theres a BJD Cast taht covers traveling with dolls on youtube if you want to look it up

 

Well, I moved across an ocean so there was no moving truck option. I'll tell you what I did, and it's definitely at your own risk. I disassembled all my larger dolls. I wrapped each piece thoroughly in bubble wrap and put them in two suitcases, filling in spaces with their clothing and some of my own. I packed the most delicate parts like hands and such inside a cosmetic hardcase. I put my MSDs, yo, and all heads in a carryon suitcase. One doll was leftover so I shipped him via EMS.

Believe it or not, everybody made it there safely, and I didn't get any questions at security, either.

 

If I couldn't carry-on my dolls onto the plane, I'd ship them with insurance, good packaging, and lots and lots of fragile stickers. Check UPS and FedEx feedback when it comes to their carrying antiques and other fragile things, and then choose whoever's better.