German dollmaker?

[ReallyCinderella]

Hi!
Taking a break from Xmas baking to find out if anyone knows if the German dollmaker is still set-up in the World Showcase? You used to be able to get a doll handmade there. I finally get to take my daughter there and this year, she's definitely old enough where I think it would be a wonderful experience for her. And, if he's still there, do you have an idea of price range?

Thanks so much for your help. I'm an addicted lurker who is happy to have finally taken the plunge!

A week from now, we'll be abandoning snowy Chicago for our Xmas break at the Poly!

Cindy and family

 

[cymomtx]

I saw the doll maker there at Thanksgiving. I think it was in Germany.

 

[AMcaptured]

Helmut Engel, who is the master dolmaker and who's company Engel dolls are sold in the German pavillion in Epcot, used to be in the store all the time helping assist guests with their doll purchases. My daughter had two made about 5 or 6 years ago and he signed both of them. He and his wife used to spend weeks in Orlando, I had many conversations with him through the years but he has not been there for a few years now. I don't know if I am missing him or if he is no longer visiting Epcot or if he has become ill, God forbid.

Anyway, they still make the dolls and it is a great experience for a 9 or 10 year old girl. If I remember correctly the dolls are about 130 dollars, more if you have a Disney dress put on them.

I do think they are of a very good quality and the similar to a My Twinn doll. They are a bit different than an American Girl doll and the beauty of them is you pick out the face, the hair color, the hair style, the dress, etc.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

He's still there but splits his time between 2 stores. I was there in October and he was there. The really neat thing was that he remembered me from the summer before, we had made 2 dolls together and then DH also bought me an Alice doll. If he is not there then 2 of his employees are there to make them.

The dolls were somewhere around $150. And you can ship them home so you don't pay sales tax.

 

[ReallyCinderella]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely be on the lookout. I think it would be a perfect present for my daughter (OK, for me too ... )

 

[trampslady]

I have six dolls, and just added the two newest to the collection a week ago. Mr. and Mrs. Engel come twice a year--in the spring and fall. They have a home near WDW, and they stay for several weeks at a time. He told me they will be back in May and again in October next year. This year, they leave on December 22.