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

Sorry if theres a post on this already, I searched but couldnt find one ^^; Please point me in the right direction if I missed one!

Anyway! Im going on holidays tomorrow to Lanzarote for a week, and I dont know what to do with my dolls! I would really miss them if I left them at home, Im way too attached >> Its only recently that they stopped sleeping in my bed. Besides which, I'd love to take pics of them in different scenery!

But Im worried about bringing them with me. I have four minis and I dont know how I'd transport them all comfortabley as hand luggage, I dont have a doll carrier, and I definitely could not put them in my luggage in case they got broken ><

Can people tell me about their experiances travelling with their dolls? Did anything get broken? Or pulled apart by customs? @_@

 

Ha ha...when I went on a business trip I piled Lucien, Stefan, and Shouko in a box between the two doll box pillows. Of course, I was driving, so rough transport wasn't an issue.

The second time I went on a business trip, I put Stefan in my laptop case. His wig came off, but that was the only exciting event. >_>

I haven't actually flown with any of my kids yet. I'm going to need to get a doll carrier, and that will be my second personal item.

 

errr just a thought if u can get a proper dollfie bag you could go to a local keep fit supplier as yoga mat bags are same shape and big enuff to fit a SD13 in or 2 mini's tho i have 3 proper bags from dollmore 1 for 1 each of dolls and one that takes 2 dolls, i do find that this bag is very useful as less bulky for travel and as hasnt a hard bottom, it fold up to go in another bag etc when not used...

just thought it may help.

also ive travelled alot with my dolls, germany recently and took him in a dollmore doll bag as hand luggage.. and the bag slipped nicely under the seats so was no prob at all. Im of to Morroco in a few weeks and once again will take as hand luggage.

if long wigs just wrap them n a little bag so they dont get tanged.

hope thats helps..

Hugs Maz

 

I've travelled with the kids a few times; but we have doll carriers, and can carry them between the two of us (myself and Oboro). ^^;

We flew with all three to Anime Fest. Namie actually sat outside of the bag for the flight, only getting shoved in there when I was wrestling with luggage... she and the boys made it to and from the con fine (until we got home and I wasn't paying attention, had Namie in my hand as I was getting out of the seat, and she got smacked in the head by some overhead carry-ons being unloaded @_@ but she was fine)...

Since you don't have a doll carrier (Which are very handy, I might add *hint* ;D ), I think you could probably cover your kids in their pillows and pack them with clothing (right in the middle) and they should be fine. ^^ As many of us find out, usually on accident, they're pretty sturdy.

 

I've traveled with mine several times. Magdalen (my mini), I put in a converted trumpet case, and he goes with me on planes like a carry-on. ...He also seems to be really popular with the security staff, as every time he goes through the x-ray, they want to take him out and look at him. (Favourite comment: "Is that a DOLL?! Is that seriously a DOLL?! I WANT ONE." :3)

Ukano (my Chamomile) normally gets tossed in his box and put beside me. Of course, I haven't air traveled with him yet.

And Sophie (Sleepy Suzuna) conveniently fits perfectly into a purse of mine. I just stick her pillows in the bottom, put her on top, zip it closed, and slide my wallet in one of the outside pockets. Convenient! She goes lots of places with me very easily.

Putting them in a carrier is definitely the easiest. Still, I wouldn't travel with more than one or two at a time, and of those, Sophie will always win out over the boys, being so small and portable.

 

I would definitely try to take one of my girls if I traveled anywhere. The potential for them to see new places and get good shots in, and maybe some correct 1/3 scale gift sizing, is too great to pass it up ^_^ A doll carrier is a definite plus, but if you don't have one you could probably make one up from a gym bag and some blankets? Minis should be easier but I wouldn't bring all of them; too stressful. Maybe 2 at most. Good luck...

 

I've had my dolls in my suitcase safely all wrapped in clothing, though I prefer to have them in their carrier or another bag as carry-on.

I have had them searched by customs, and the only customs you have to worry about being assholes are the US ones, my dear. XD They weren't too gentle with Kika, but I grabbed him really quick. Then offered to take the back of his headcap off so they could see if I was hiding anything inside him, and that squicked them out. XDDDD

 

I actually brought Jinny my MSD Sakura to Japan in my checked in luggage cushioned between my clothes and the pillows I was bringing out to a friend. While in Japan, I bought a MSD carrier, and now use that to transport two MSDs at a time where I take them as carry ons. (Along with my bookbag, but on many International long haul flights they really have room for 2 carry ons. lol)

Yuki, my PF has traveled to Japan with me as well as to Utah to visit my in-laws and even went hiking in Zion National Park with me. I carry Yuki around in my old digital camera case wrapped in a cloth napkin. I figure if the bag is supposed to protect a digital camera, it ought to do a good job protecting Yuki.

While it might be hard to leave some of the crew behind, I would probably just bring one or two with me as it's a bit easier for one person to manage.

 

Driving is easy--just pack everybody in their carry-bags or boxes.

For flying, I have a rolling suitcase , a Lands' End Carry-On Suitcase (22" iirc), which fits all of my minis, which is now four & the tiny. It also works well for meet-ups involving public transport. The bag got checked on my way back from Utah last year, with no problem & no incidents.

I'll try to fit all 5 minis after B-el gets spiffed up & ready to travel.

The dolls are packed with pillows, wigs, shoes and boots, clothing, and anything else I think they might need, plus a change of clothing for myself in the outside pockets, in case my check-through bag gets lost.

The pillows overflow, rather, when the dolls are taken out, but I stuff them ruthlessly back into the case & zip it closed. Oddly, the pillows and everything fit better when the dolls are in, too, as they are packed & flattened under the dolls.

How I'm going to get Peter, a Hound, to Iowa next spring (Costume-Con http://www.epicmovies.org/), I do not know. It's really too far to drive, since I don't have the time to spare from work.

Ann in CT

 

I have this bright blue duffel bag that's just the right size for a mini. When I have travelled with Alice, I just wrap her in a towel and stuff her in the duffel. Since I carried the duffel over my shoulder like a purse, she was fine.

Then again, I've never taken her on a plane or anything.

 

Hi! Okay, I'm going to be flying to Alberta for a week of fun times with my friend Tasha in December. I am all sorts of psyched about this visit, especially since Tasha is an excellent seamstress and photographer and she wants to do many fun projects with my girls.

Here's my dilemma: When we she first wanted to see a BJD up close and personal, I only had Cady. I just figured that I would buy a really deep purse/backpack and keep her squirreled away in there, no biggie. Then I bought Tambre. And Aislinn. And I think I'll have the balance paid on Safiya before I leave, too.

Tasha wants to see them all.

And I am more than eager to show off my girls! However, I have NO IDEA how I'm going to take four dolls with me to Canada. What have other people done in my position? See, I also want to take my laptop with me, and that has to go on the plane with me. But I am freaking out over the thought of packing my girls in my big suitcase and hoping all will be well. Eep. Why didn't I think this out earlier?!

Anyway, suggestions will be deeply appreciated!

 

Would it be possible to find a piece of luggage small enough to be carried onto the plane rather than checked, but that is big enough for them all to fit in? Or even a well-padded box? You could always carry one in your large purse/backpack and put the others in the box.

 

I think you're allowed to have two pieces of carry-on, as long as they're a certain size, to many planes. Otherwise you can sacrifice the neatness of your clothes to bundle them all around the dolls in your suitcase for protection.

 

Yeah, as far as I know, you're allowed two carry-ons. Generally one's in the seat with you, and one in the overhead compartment.

 

Yeah, you can have two carry-ons to agree with the posts above, and you're also allowed your purse, as long as you can fit your purse and under your seat with your carry-on. You should be able to buy one of those rolly small suitcases w/ wheels thingies (LOL love my description) and have a second carrier AND your purse with wallet, passport etc. Hope that helps.

Oh, since it would also be a long flight, make sure you walk around in the middle of it since your legs will get cramped if your dollies are taking up the underseat space. Just my experience ^_^

 

I can have two carry-on bags AND a purse? Oh, sweet! ^___^ That makes me feel so much better. I have both a small gym bag and a roll-on piece of luggage. I'll see which one would better suit my needs.

Here I was, thinking I was limited to one carry-on and my purse. Happy news! Thanks for your help, everyone! You're all great!

 

I think you are limited to one carryon and your purse, at least on some airlines. I've flown on Delta, United, and American recently, and they all limited passengers to one carryon and a purse (or "personal item such as a briefcase.") There doesn't seem to be any limit on the size of the purse, though. And I think if the plane is fairly empty, they're not so strict on enforcing a limit on carryons. You can call the airline ahead of time and check. If you show up with more carryons than they allow, or with a carryon that exceeds the allowable size, you'll either have to check it or leave it behind.

 

Drat. My flight's with American. Back to square one. Maybe I'll buy a Really Big Purse. My laptop carrycase is just flat-out too small to fit a doll. Or maybe I"ll break down and hide my dolls in my big suitcase. I just get the grues at the thought of possibly losing four dolls in one go.

 

Well, if you call or write to the airline before you leave, it's often possible to get special agreements with them. Tell them you are travelling with several fragile items with this-and-so size and weight and ask if you can get a "special deal" on carry on. I haven't travelled with american airlines, but it's possible on the european airlines I have travelled with. Or use your doll carrier as a purse... Or both.