Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do I need to schedule?
We recommend scheduling with us as soon as you decide your party date. Some characters are more popular than others - especially the Snow Queen. Although we try our very best to accommodate a last-minute request, we do ask that you give us at least two weeks notice so that our performers are able to plan their schedules accordingly. Some of our clients choose to schedule a year in advance, and some call the day of their party because they just heard about us from a friend! Again, we can’t guarantee a last minute booking but we will certainly try to make it happen!
Do you require a deposit?
Yes, we require a small deposit to secure the character(s) for your party date. A $25 deposit, per character, is due upon scheduling and the remaining balance is due the day before the party.
Can I pay the full amount upfront instead of just paying the deposit?
Yes, that is completely fine. Many of our clients choose to do this so they can have everything checked off their to-do list before party time!
What forms of payment are accepted?
Venmo: @NCPartyPals
Cash App: $NCPartyPals
PayPal: NCPartyPals@yahoo.com
Apple Pay: 919-440-8533
Check or money order by mail
*Please include a note with your preferred payment method that states the party date and character(s) so we know exactly whose party it’s for. For example, if you booked the Snow Queen on January 1, 2024, you would type “Snow Queen 1/1/24” in the note section.
How will I know that you received my deposit?
We will confirm that we received your deposit by sending you a screenshot verifying the transaction and letting you know that you’re all set.
Can you send me an invoice or receipt for my records?
Yes, absolutely! We will be more than happy to send you a detailed, itemized statement upon request.
What time will the character arrive at my party?
The characters arrival time largely depends on two things; one being the length of your party, and the other factor depends on how long of a visit you’d like.
For example, let’s say that your party timeframe is from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. If you choose a 30 minute visit, the character will arrive between 3:00-3:15pm. If you choose a 45 minute visit, the character will arrive between 2:45-3:00pm. If you choose a one hour visit, the character will arrive between 2:30-2:45pm. If you choose a 1.5 hour visit, the character will arrive between 2:15-2:30pm. And the two hour visit would be the full length of the party. Again, the length of your party is your personal preference. But it’s important for us to know the timeframe so that we can make sure the character arrives at the appropriate time. You definitely want your character there for the most important moment - singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ seeing your child make their wish and cutting the cake!
What happens if I need to reschedule?
We know things happen! We understand there are extenuating circumstances that could prevent your party from taking place. Your child may wake up with a fever, there could be a loss in your family, or we could be faced with the possibility of inclement weather. We’re happy to reschedule your character appearance for a future date. However, if you completely cancel and choose not to reschedule, we will refund your payment minus the deposit ($25 per character). We do encourage you to reschedule, even if you don’t have a party, our character could always visit your child at their home, school or daycare!
How far will you travel?
Our company is based in Goldsboro, North Carolina. We will travel within a 50 mile radius of our location. We frequently visit Wilson, Smithfield, Four Oaks, Dunn, Kinston, Snow Hill, Greenville, Mount Olive, Clinton, Clayton, Garner and other surrounding areas.
How much do you charge for mileage?
10 miles (20 miles round-trip) are included in our packages. Mileage rates are based on the distance we have to travel and are calculated from this address:
309 Pickens Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27530
15 miles (30 miles round-trip): $15
20 miles (40 miles round-trip): $20
25 miles (50 miles round-trip): $25
30 miles (60 miles round-trip): $30
35 miles (70 miles round-trip) $35
40 miles (80 miles round-trip): $40
45 miles (90 miles round-trip) $45
50 miles (100 miles round-trip): $50
I don’t see the character I’m looking for on your website. Could I request a specific character?
Absolutely, we love special requests! If there is a particular character that you would like, let us know! We will try our absolute best to have the character in time for your party.
What age range do you recommend for a character appearance?
We frequently perform visits at 1 year old birthday parties, and have even sent Prince Charming to surprise a lady on her 80th birthday! And celebrated with all ages in between! We love visiting with children and adults with special needs as well.
Do you only perform visits for birthday parties?
Definitely not! It doesn’t have to be someone’s birthday for us to be able to visit. We often visit preschools and daycares - especially for holidays and end of year class parties. Some parents hire us to surprise their children with a trip to Disney, to help celebrate a special achievement, and even to encourage a child who is going through a difficult time. If you can dream it, we can do it. No request is too unusual!
Can I hire you for an event?
Absolutely, our performers love doing events! We are often hired by churches, businesses, restaurants, hospitals, parks and rec, towns and cities to provide the entertainment for a large group of people. We offer special, discounted rates for these types of events. We can even provide a craft table, backdrop or anything else you may need! And we will help advertise your event on our social media accounts to help get the word out too.
I wish I could hire you to visit my grandchild/niece/nephew, but they live in a different state.
Not a problem! We can still visit your loved one virtually. We offer two options for this:
1.) We can make a personalized video message (about 1 to 2 minutes in length). Just make sure you tell us everything we should mention in the video to make it personal and extra special. No detail is too small!
2.) We can set up a live video call via FaceTime, Zoom or WebEx. Our character will interact for about 10 minutes, and be able to answer questions and talk about everything your child wants to discuss!
Do performers accept gratuities?
Tips are never expected, but always greatly appreciated. It also means the world to us to hear positive feedback and see photos from your party if you’d like to share them!