Party Characters For Kids

DO NOT book with this company. I never write reviews but felt that in this case it was imperative to warn other unsuspecting parents. This is a fraudulent company. One star rating is too high but you have to select a star to post a review.
I booked a Winnie the Pooh character for my daughter’s second birthday party. I paid the deposit of $ 51 over the phone and was told that the balance should be paid to the character the day o the birthday party. The payment was processed by «Microsale» a computer supply company, something I did not notice at the time of payment.
The day of the party the performer demanded money before getting into costume so I handed her $ 100. She spent 15 – 20 minutes (of the 60 minutes booked) getting into costume. When she appeared in costume I and all the guests were completely shocked. The costume was nothing like the images online. The face was falling apart, the costume dirty and in tatters. There was material hanging off the back of the head. My two year old daughter ran and hid because she was scared. Additionally the performer had forgotten the games and her music. She could not engage the children and so she just stood on the periphery motionless only gesturing to me that she had 5 minutes left as she had another party to get to. I was completely embarrassed and my daughter was devastated. One of the guests asked if a friend was «doing me a favor» the scene was so unprofessional.
We called the company to report the catastrophic situation and were told that the manager would call us back. Needless to say, we did not receive a call back. I spoke to the performer and voiced my anger and disappointment at the whole situation and she agreed that the costume was not acceptable and that she had never been this character and had only just picked it up. She had no explanation on the games and simply said that she had had technical problems downloading the songs on her phone the day before and arrived with full knowledge that she could not play music!
I followed up with the company via phone and email 4 times over the proceeding % days demanding my money back. Each time a gentleman named Mario said he was trying to contact the performer. I asked to speak with the manager and was told that he was the manager and there was no one else in the company! Finally, after 5 days of being told he was trying to talk with the performer I got hold of her and found out that Mario had made no attempt to contact her. I explained I was trying to get my money back and she said I had to contact the company.
This is their website: www​.par​ty​char​ac​ters​forkids​.com/ and I am just noticing now that none of their external links to FB, Flicker or reviews are working.
At this point I am not going to see my $ 151 again. The company functions under fraudulent misrepresentation. The level of service is worse than unprofessional, it is illegal and worst of all they are ruining little children’s birthdays. I think it is despicable.

I am only going to give this company one star because I have to.
I have done ALOT of research on this company and I wanted to share with you what I have found:
This company is a fraud. They represent themselves as a costume for hire company when they are not. They simply book other companies to send characters to your party. They act like an event coordinator, but do a VERY bad job at it. I have seen their ads on Craigslist boasting 5 star reviews on Gigmasters, yet when I asked them about their gigmasters profile the person on the phone had no clue what I was talking about. I did EXTENSIVE research on them and THEY DO NOT HAVE A GIGMASTERS PROFILE! Secondly, they advertise $ 50 for parties that are two hours or more long, yet when you try to get this deal they tell you «the promotion is already active» and wont give you the $ 50 off.
Since this company does not own ANY of the costume characters, and all they do is call local costume character companies in your area, they have absolutely ZERO control on the quality of the character that will show up at your party. This is why you will see a lot of people who have reviewed this company have mixed experiences. If you get paired with a great company, then you will have a great experience, however if you get pared with a crappy one, you wont know until they show up at your party and by then it too late.
My recommendation:
Do NOT book through this company! There is a reason why they are not on Gigmasters, or any other similar entertainment booking agency website. They would be held accountable for their actions, their misrepresentations, and there would be a legal binding contract in place. IT COSTS YOU NOTHING MORE to find good talent through a site like Gigmasters/Gigsalad/N.A.M.E but you get so much in peace of mind knowing that your money is going to be well spent.

Boo Major Party Foul!!!— Confirmed a Ninjago performer for my son’s 7^th birthday on Sunday, April 24 and they NO SHOWED & NO PHONED! Although Party Characters for Kids was unaware the character failed to appear and was very apologetic upon receiving the news… Their apology will not make up for the 25 disappointed kids… who were anticipating Ninja training ;-(. Life happens, but please have the decently to let us know in advance, you can’t make it…

I was very disappointed with our character! I booked Elsa and I was very excited for my daughter and the kids to meet «the princess». The movie was over a year old when i planned the party so by than everyone new the popular song — «Let it go!»
First of all I had to call the company 24 hrs before the party just to make sure we will have the character coming even so they told be they will keep in touch with me. I had to leave several messages until they called me later that night back. Than on the actually birthday party the character called me an hour before even so I expected the call much earlier because I have been told so! So from the beginning nothing was like the company promised. It was pretty nerve racking not knowing what is actually happening.
When Elsa arrived it was nothing as expected. She had her wig on but we could see her dark hair looking out which didn’t look professional at all. The dress was way to big on that girl, which maybe was 16, 17 years old, she always was pulling it up which was very disturbing. She came inside the house with the her song (let it go) and did not know the lyrics, very bad playback, just yawing movements of her mouth, disaster. Her English was very bad, her dad or who ever was their had to speak for her like explained the games for the kids. I tried to make the best out of it so that the kids can have fun but for that amount of money this was not worse it at all. Especially when the sculpture balloons is actually paid for and you are being asked again on the party too pay for that because it is not included!!!
I love the idea having characters coming for the kids birthday party but I defiantly would not suggest to use this company!

Hired Minnie Mouse. Only gave 1 star because I HAD TO!
Will not use again. Wish I would have spent time reading all reviews before. I went back, and read them to discover I was given the same excuses as previous reviewers. Was called the day before the event to tell me that due to an accident (same excuse given to previous reviewer), they were unable to be there at the time agreed upon. We had to push it back 2 hours and 45 mins later. In addition, Minnie uses about 15 minutes to change in and out of character. These time changes, really threw off my party. Guests were getting ancy with the wait, some even had to leave. So in reality, you only have her for about 45 minutes. This is after she arrived about 15 minutes late. She was not very entertaining for the kids, as she pretty much just stood around. Wasn’t very animated. Costume wasn’t great either.
Would highly recommend NOT to use this company. They never even offered any discount for inconvenience. Seems like this is just their amo (based on previous reviews)

Terrible company. I wish I had seen this before I booked them! They didn’t even show up. I am in N. Cal but they said they said they handle this area. I’m so F-​ing angry. I can’t believe they just didn’t show up. My daughter is so sad and so are the 20 kids that were here today. They better refund my money. Do NOT use this company!!!
Ps. The 1 star is only because you have to. I wouldn’t give them anything.

HORRIBLE! I thought it was common sense that if I booked the red power ranger they would send a man w the costume. NOT! Cancelled on the spot. I rather lose my 50 something dollar deposit rather than waste more money on something completely not worth it. In that case I could’ve rented the costume and dressed up myself. Save your $$!

This company is a TOTAL JOKE!
I booked «Ariel» for my daughters 5^th birthday party for one hour. One hour cost 150 dollars. After leaving a $ 51 deposit by credit card online, I received my email and never heard from them again until 15 MINUTES before the party. They called to tell us the Ariel costume was stolen and my choices were Elsa or Minnie Mouse.
Day of the party, after I’d written the check out for the balance, the new Minnie calls and tells me they are CASH ONLY. What kind of company does that?!
She shows up at 2:30 instead of 1 and seems all she was concerned about was getting paid. She asked for payment 3 times before she even entered the house. She was super lame and spent an hour painting 3 kids’ faces.
DO NOT BOOK THIS COMPANY EVER! They not only let a 5 year old down, they caused me unnecessary stress the day of the party.

The only reason that I’m giving a star is because my daughter truly believed Minnie Mouse came to her party. The look on her face was worth it.
I wish I would have spent more time reading reviews on this company. I booked «Miss Mouse» for my daughters 4^th birthday party for one hour. One hour cost 150 dollars. After leaving a $ 51 deposit by credit card online, I received my email and never heard from them again until the day before the party. They called to tell us the original Minnie was in an accident and her replacement had to come at a different time. Ok no problem.
Day of the party, after I’d written the check out for the balance, the new Minnie calls and tells me they are CASH ONLY. What kind of company does that. So now I had to get cash. And not the 99 that I owed, but 100.
She shows up right at 1, and tells me she will do 15 – 20 minutes of balloons and face painting. I’m assuming she will be doing this as Minnie Mouse. Nope, she spends 45 minutes in her off the shoulder hot pink top and yoga pants doing balloons so frazzled. After I told her to please change she then says ok but she has to leave right at two for another party. And the face painting was tattoos.
She tells me her phone is messed up, so I had to use MY OWN PHONE WITH MY OWN DATA and follow her around with Mickey Mouse club music. She barely spent time as Minnie. Maybe 10 minutes out of the hour I paid for.
And the costume was AWFUL AND DIRTY.
Please use your money somewhere else. I will never hire this company again. I seriously felt like an inconvenience to this woman.

HEADS UP
This company uses photos of DISNEYLAND FACE characters and passes them off as their own. What you see is NOT what you’ll get!

I cannot get over the irresponsible work model that this company is consisted of. Our client booked a Santa for her child’s 2^nd birthday party. She called the day before the confirm and they said everything was on track and Santa would be calling directly. Santa never called and when she called back, they said she had nothing to fear and Santa would call. Surely enough, the time for the party came and Santa did not show up. After many calls to the generic hotline number, they said they had no way of contacting our local booking company except via email. We asked for the local email directly and local Santa number and they simply «could not provide that information». We may have called the national line 3 – 4 times that night for an update and nothing. Oh they did reassure us we would get our money back. No amount of money back is worth the look of disappointed children. Santa never came and we never got any call or message back.
I believe this may be a national company and our event was located in the Bay Area. I wish they had a local page so I could review them there as well. Get it together!

Don’t use this company!!! I called them for my son minion party… I wanted 4 minions, they said yes and I wanted one eyed minion and two, then, i get a call the day before saying the one eyed minion costume was ripped… so the minion couldn’t show… NOT MY PROBLEM! for $ 150 a character and I ordered 4, you could surely repair the stupid costume! then only 2 minions show because one got sick! AGAIN, NOT MY PROBLEM! I paid a deposit and still gave them cash and not a discount from you guys on all the fuck ups! I would never higher your company again, nor refer you and I’m a well known party planner. YOU FUCK UP KIDS BIRTHDAYS! then your minion had a nerve to comment on a tip! ha! luckily my husband felt sorry for the and they got a tip but that was despite the service…

STAY AWAY from this company!
They just take your money, as the «Booking Agency» and not stand behind their promise to deliver quality entertainers, as they advertise.
We booked Elmo for my daughters birthday. Not only did the performer arrive 1 hour late (party was already ending), they did not facepaint, their speaker system was messed up, I had to babysit and hold Elmos hand walk her around (she couldn’t see through the mask), no magic show, no meet and greet, no ELMO theme song, no happy birthday singing, Nothing! Only 5 pictures, and 25 minutes and left, asking for money…
I called the booking agency back and said, I would like a Refund on my $ 51 reservation fee. I explained my experience, and they told me: «Though they were late, they still showed up.»
ARE YOU SERIOUS??? That’s the level of customer service they have.
I have emailed 4 times. They have not responded, nor acknowledged any of my emails. I have called and disputed the service, and they give you the run around. They take all your information, and credit card info, yet they do not disclose their last names when you ask them. Their «manager» is always not available! They never return phone calls, and this address they advertise is complete bogus. I personally investigated this.
Typical fraudulent business, if you ask me. I should have read the Unilocal reviews first, but my wife was tricked and only read the reviews on their site, of course, controlled by them.
Stay Away!

We were so happy with The Batman that came to my sons party !! «Jay» fit the part perfectly. All the children were absolutely amazed when he walked into the room !! We had parents tell us that their children were so excited they were to have actually met the «real» batman !!
Batman even did super hero training, Games, Balloons, posed for pictures with each child, helped my son open presents and even play tug of war ! When kids asked him about «the bat mobile «he quickly explained it was parked some where else, since there was no room for parking !!!
Jay did an amazing job!

wow, i just read all the reviews. im so glad i didnt see this, or i would not have hired them. and i had such a positive experience…
I booked Mickey mouse for my son’s 5^th bday celebration at his school. When i called them they were great. Very Professional and nice. They said someone would be calling me 24 hours before the day, which she did. She was very nice — «Celina». We discussed everything, and she mentioned she would be talking to the kids. and i was like. HUH? usually they dont talk to the kids because it would give it away and they Never Ever sound like the character. but she was amazing. she sounded JUST LIKE MICKEY, which was awesome. She arrived perfectly on time, and was ready to go.
She did balloons first for all the kids, no, they weren’t elaborate, but good enough for the kids to love them.:) She then went and changed into Mickey and played games with the kids. and had fun music. My son and his class mates had a great time. She was super nice and very attentive to all the kids… would definitely hire her again!

This company basically acts as a booking company for local characters. They have no way to assure any kind of quality control which is likely the root of all these bad reviews.
Here is our story, we booked this company for two characters and filled out a contract before reading these reviews. No contact from characters before event and surprise, surprise the contacted time arrives and no characters arrive. I called this company and was told that they are only a booking agency and that they couldn’t track down the local company either. They said that they would give us a refund if they did not show up which was the last they could do given that they did have a deposit. They asked to wait a little while longer just in case they were running a little behind.
Several calls later and two hours later I finally get hold of the local company and the owner is not only unapologetic he is absolutely rude. He offered to send the characters in about an hour but he still wants full price. This is not an acceptable offer because they are now three hours late and the guests have gone home, it is a kids party after all, and the owner’s response is that well nothing is going to make us happy and dares us to sure him for breech of contract. This guy is a real piece of work.
In the end, I am sure we will get a refund on our deposit but our much anticipated characters really soured our girl’s party since they were so excited to see Mickey and Minnie.
This was definitely a lesson learned. Please never, ever, ever, ever do business with this company who has no responsibility over the partners they subcontract events to.

I would be giving a –100 if I could for this company.
THIS COMPANY IS A FRAUD. Their costumes are horrendous. DO NOT BOOK THEM!
The BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS GIVEN THEM A «F» GRADE!
They are lying to customers putting on their website Disney Quality pictures of characters. What you get from them is a far cry of what they promise.
They promised me a Minnie Mouse and sent me pictures via Dropbox of the Minnie Mouse I would be getting the one that came to my party is nothing like what I was promised.

First off it was a MALE inside the costume that was very muscular and dirty with a dented mascot head.
My daughter was afraid and cried seeing this horrendous Minnie Mouse.
When I tried to call them to get a Full Refund they have given me a run around telling me that the manager «JOHN» was not available each time I called.
That their call center is located in Manilla, Philippines.
I have yet to hear back from them and get some type of resolution. Am still waiting for a refund…

Extremely disappointed. Princess Else showed up with all of her hair was all messed up, I could see her bra and on top of everything she had a tattoo. A kid asked «Why does Else have a tattoo» WTH
She played with the kids and she was ok but her appearance was horrible. I’m usually a very understanding person but this was beyond.
Don’t hire this company for your next event.

ALL THEIR ads show a $ 50 coupon when you call they don’t honor it worst customer service, it’s false advertise their doing just to get you to call them

Ok the reviews below freaked me out — considering I read them AFTER i had put down my deposit and the day before my daughter’s birthday. I had gotten their contact info from a family friend who used them about 2 years ago and was very happy so I didn’t really research.
Booking was pretty easy. But i got worried when it got close to my event and the characters did not call me to talk about the details as I was told they would do. But someone did call my husband’s phone 24 hours before my party. I spoke with the character and she was super nice, got some info from me and told me what the routine would be.
The day of the party they were on time and looked great. All the kids had a blast and it was a success, thank goodness!
I don’t know about everyone else’s experience but I had a positive one!