Dream Choice: Documenting my experience

Hi everyone!

Been considering getting my own Dollfie for a bit now and figured that an upcoming trip to Japan would be the best time to do so. I figured I'd document my process of getting a Dream Choice in case it can help people out in the future!

Today (Aug 28th). I called into make my appointment for the time I will be in Japan. Reservations are not required but seem to be highly recommended by Doll Point, especially for weekends. Reservations come out on the first of every month for the following month (i.e. Reservations that open on Sept 1st are for the month of October). As of Aug 2023, reservations can only be made in-person or over the phone.

Dream Choice information for both the Dolpo Akihabara and Osaka can be found here: https://dollfie.volks.co.jp/dd/model/dreamchoice/

Here's how the call to make a reservation went:

• Called to Dolpo Akihabara, staff member answered the phone introducing the store
• In Japanese: I asked if they spoke English and when asked the purpose of my call, I stated it was "Dream Choice Reservation" in English. Was told to wait a moment while they got another staff member to proceed with the reservation.
• English speaking staff member answered the phone and began to setup the reservation.

Here's what was covered in the Dream Choice Reservation process:

• Date and time of reservation
• Name and passport number
• Dollfie size, head+makeup, and skin tone (might be optional, but should help with making sure they have your preference of base doll ready to customize in store)

Lastly, the staff member confirms your appointment and inform you to call them if there are any changes or delays to the appointment or your arrival.

Overall, the call-in reservation process was very straightforward as the staff were very nice and helpful. I'm glad there was an English-speaking staff member on hand to take my call or it may not have been possible to go through with the reservation process. Some basic Japanese phrases are helpful to make the appointment. It helped me to know a couple like "Hello" and "Can you speak English?", so that you can reach an English-speaking member of staff.

I'll hopefully be updating in a month or two's time with the in-store process and the dolls I got!

Edited August 29, 2023 by howasaur

Congrats on making your appointment! Which head/body/skin colour are you thinking of getting?

6 minutes ago, ragnamuffin said:

Congrats on making your appointment! Which head/body/skin colour are you thinking of getting?

Thank you!

Looking to get: DDS, DDH14 M03, Normal/Fair skin.

Since it will come with hair and eyes, I would also like the gray U eyes and red hime cut hair.

That sounds like a lovely combo. Hope you enjoy the Dream Choice experience!

Thank you for sharing this experience here! This is very helpful, and I look forward to your updates 😊

That's useful thanks. I've been to Japan 4 times but sadly years before I started accumulating dolls.

I plan on re-visiting Japan. If I ordered a Dream Choice I think I'd go for a tan DDS and I hugely want the downwards drooping elf ears.

I do have two three Dream Choices* but have had to pay inflated secondary market prices. Mine are all MDD Mochi-Ashi and they are insanely popular here in the UK.

Do post photos of your girl (or boy) once they're born.

*Just acquired one from Yahoo Japan Auctions.

3 minutes ago, Xiongmao said:

That's useful thanks. I've been to Japan 4 times but sadly years before I started accumulating dolls.

I plan on re-visiting Japan. If I ordered a Dream Choice I think I'd go for a tan DDS and I hugely want the downwards drooping elf ears.

I do have two three Dream Choices* but have had to pay inflated secondary market prices. Mine are all MDD Mochi-Ashi and they are insanely popular here in the UK.

Do post photos of your girl (or boy) once they're born.

*Just acquired one from Yahoo Japan Auctions.

I'm glad my experience is helpful. I hope to keep updating the post itself or adding comments to this thread documenting my experience.

Tan with drooping elf ears sounds very cute! I was strongly considering a tan doll before deciding on normal as I'll be in Japan late Sept to early October and can get Dream Choice in all 3 available skin tones depending on when I scheduled the appointment for.

Just a note if you didn't know already, looks like a few body types for Dream Choice are currently only available at the Akihabara store (DDS included).

I also did not want to pay for aftermarket, proxy, or build+face up myself, so waiting to go buy my own Dream Choice was the best move for me.

On 8/28/2023 at 10:11 PM, howasaur said:

Today (Aug 28th). I called into make my appointment for the time I will be in Japan. Reservations are not required but seem to be highly recommended by Doll Point, especially for weekends. Reservations come out on the first of every month for the following month (i.e. Reservations that open on Sept 1st are for the month of October). As of Aug 2023, reservations can only be made in-person or over the phone.

I stand corrected.

As of 2023.06.16, overseas customers can make Doll Point (Akihabara/Osaka) Dream Choice Reservations online via email.

Full instructions are halfway down this Volk's blog post: https://dollfie.volks.co.jp/blog/2023/06/16/006313.html

Hi everyone!

I'm back from my trip with photos of my Dream Choice doll!

She is a DDH14-M03 in flesh with 22mm N purple eyes and the hime cut in passion red (WK-1 T1762).

I'll be putting my in-store Dream Choice experience as another comment!

 

-Howasaur

 

Overall, I was very pleased with the Dream Choice experience!

Location: Doll Point Akihabara is just a block away from Akihabara station on the 8th floor of the Akihabara Radio Kaikan building. Makes it very easy to visit Azone and Dolly Teria (on the 7th and 5th floors respectively).

The Doll Point section of the store is right outside the elevator and on the other side from where the escalator goes (escalator brings you to Volks Hobby Square).

Store: Doll Point is a small store with shelves of Dollfie parts, clothes, accessories to purchase. Most tables have unique D'Coords for you to look at and consider purchasing. Standard Dollfie models are also there. There are also whole collections of licensed models that I wish I could buy!

Dream Choice: Starting your Dream Choice is as simple as informing an employee that you have a Dream Choice reservation. They were happy to accomodate me even when I was 20 minutes early since the store wasn't busy.

A quick check of my passport and we were ready to start the doll customization. As I had told them the Dollfie size, head, and skin tone (*note that Dream Choices come standard with M-sized busts) that I had wanted when making my reservation, we moved quickly along after I informed them that I wanted M03 and didn't want elf ears.

The staff member brought out the head I wanted and confirmed that we could continue. They put it on a bust frame (the bust on a stand to show the head+eyes+wig as you pick your options) and moved on to the next choices.

Eyes were next and I tried to get 22mm U grey, but those were not available. I settled for 22mm N purple. Putting the parts you want on backorder is not available for foreigners. I could only choose from the options that were available in store. They ask if you want extra sets of eyes with your Dollfie before moving on.

The last thing to pick for Dream Choice is the wig. I was in between Hime Cut and Straight Bob in passion red. The staff member showed both options on the demo doll head+bust and determined that I would get the Hime Cut. Before finalizing choices, they asked if I wanted an extra wig.

Having picked out the options for my doll, they informed me it would take 5-10min to assemble the doll. They go pick the parts and assemble the doll (without the wig) before letting you unveil it, hold it, and look at it to confirm.

Lastly, they fill out the Certificate of Authenticity with your Dream Choice details and let you fill out your name. They then box it up in a red Dream Choice box (~23.5in long). This was towards the beginning of my trip so I was going to ship the doll back home to the US for myself. Doll Point does not ship internationally, but they were able to sell me a Dollfie sized shipping box for ~300yen. If anyone has questions on how I was able to ship the doll back to myself, I'm happy to explain how I shipped mine back!

Went up to the register to purchase my doll and other accessories (some clothing and shoes) and asked them for tax free shopping. They will scan the QR code on your Japanese landing clearance to apply tax free shopping for visitors of Japan. This took off about 10% on all Volks items! (Note: this won't apply to third party clothes and accessories that are for sale in Doll Point) They take all major credit cards (including my American Express) which makes paying for your items a breeze.

 

Overall, Dream Choice was a very smooth process for me. Making the reservation can be challenging if there is no one able to speak in English to take your call. In general, knowing some basic Japanese helped me a lot getting around Japan and with my Dream Choice process. Picking the doll parts is really as simple as pointing at their menu. Tax-free shopping also helps with the cost! I'm super happy to now have my first doll and really happy with how my Dream Choice turned out! Though, I might replace the wig sometime as I don't think it's the highest quality. I'll be heading back to Japan for another trip in April, so I hope to get another Dream Choice then!

Let me know if you all have any questions or comments with Dream Choice or Doll Point!

 

-Howasaur

Thanks for sharing your experience in Dream Choice and showing pics of your new girl! Glad to hear that you had an amazing experience and there were no major issues

Congratulations on getting your dollfie 😊 She is very cute!

I didn't know they allowed for tax free shopping on some items as I believe last I read on another thread here they were no longer accepting tax free codes, so I appreciate you documenting the experience here!