Ask Kris text or call 1-510-495-5564
This video answers the top ten questions. The same answers are also typed below.
1. How is Kris different?
NO subcontractors: I'm the only one-woman party character company in the SF Bay, by design. I'll NEVER send you a subcontractor. With me, the person advertised to you in photos, (me), is who actually comes. If you want double or triple characters, I bring along my awesome sidekicks.
Mega-experienced: I know how big companies work, because I used to own the largest party character company in the U.S. to date. My staff did 14,000 events in SF and LA, of which, 3,000 parties I did personally myself. A few years ago, to control quality, I downsized to a solo operation. Now it’s just me. It is always me which is epic for quality control. I bring ten years of experience.
Real videos: Other sites can't show you videos of the exact person you're hiring, because, like my former company, they swap the staff on your event day-to-day as new orders push your party’s staffing around, sometimes even changing which staffer you’ll get a few days before your event. I did that too when I had a huge company. Now that it’s just me, you always know who is coming.
Pro Singer: Singing characters are impossible to find! I am professionally trained to sing the princess movie songs. Parents tell me the singing is the "dream come true" moment. I feel it too.
Children's Fairyland digs me: And they are picky. The Executive Director wrote this article about me.
My price structure is easier: Local websites charge, "more per additional child," and for, "adding activities." I don't do that. I feel silly to be wasting your paid time counting kids and renegotiating prices. You just pay for how long I'm there. Unlimited kids. Unlimited activities. Boom. Love it.
Extra bonus: You have my cell number. Big companies can't give out staff numbers. It is a huge relief to be able to find me direct on the party day if you have venue updates, etc.
Full disclosure, my formerly massive company did around 200 parties every month. Our reviews prior to 2014 show the quality struggles of big companies. It's why I won't use subcontractors anymore. You'll see the change, since I downsized to solo in 2013, I have outstanding reviews.
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2. Where can Kris perform?
I drive to most cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. I perform in backyards, homes, apartments, parks, schools, restaurants, hotel ballrooms, outdoor stages, and hospitals.
Facebook, Amazon.com, American Express, and Safeway Corporate Headquarters book me for annual corporate events.
I am a mainstage performer for Santana Row and La Morinda Mothers' Club. The Burlingame Mothers' Club asked me to write this party advice article for their newsletter.
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3. What is included? How much space do you need?
My Price Packages include your choice of me as any Princess Character, or Other Character doing your choice of any 2 to 6 of my Activities.
I require zero set-up time, almost no space, and no electrical plugs.
This VIDEO, "Tips for The Best Show" has optional tips to maximize my performance. In short, I don't need anything from you except:
1) Shade please, and a blanket for kids to sit on, if we are outdoors. Reminder: Indoors shows are always better, whenever possible. If it’s not possible, I’m happy to perform outside under shade. Sound quality of singing and magic/puppet shows is MUCH better indoors, photos of my wigs look much better in indoor light, and there are way less distractions for kids indoors. It’s also just fine to start the “show” portion inside, when sound matters, then move me outdoors for twisty balloons, etc.
2) A cup of water and ideally 3 chairs if we do face painting. Sadly, face painting is not recommended by the CDC as of June 2021. Hopefully by the time you read this, that’s changed.
3) Enough room for kids to sit on the grass/carpet at my feet
I happily perform outdoors often, but the show is always better indoors, whenever possible. This video called, "Tips for The Best Show," says more.
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4. Do you do Elsa & Anna, or other multi-character shows?
Yes! My dear friend and my sister-in-law book themselves too. When I'm sold out I only refer to them because they won't send you subcontractors. I also hire them to join me when you need multi-character shows like Elsa and Anna.
Cool tip: If you hire us together, we do not charge to stagger arrival times. That means, you can tell one of us to start 15 to 45 minutes before the next character arrives. It's a sneaky way to get "longer" help with the kids, without paying for longer. It is more fun drama for the kids when the second character rings the bell! Or you can book us to start at the same time. Your call.
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5. How much notice do you need?
Lucky girl, my weekend dates have sold out for years. It is random how far in advance they’ll fill. It is first-come, first-served.
The safe move is to block my date/time as soon as you can. You do not need to know how many kids, nor my character, nor activities, those are easy to choose later. Dates do sell out. I turn away sweet parents every day. Text/call 1-510-495-5564.
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6.What is the price? How do I book?
Prices show here. To book, text me at 1-510-495-5564, or call or fill out this form. Ask for the booking link.
About ten new parents inquire each day. Things change fast. The safe move is to block my date/time as soon as you can. You do NOT need to know how many kids, nor my character, nor activities, those are easy to choose later. Dates do sell out. I turn away sweet parents every day. Text/call 1-510-495-5564.
*IMPORTANT*: You DO NOT HAVE TO KNOW ALL DETAILS before blocking me. This can help your planning process SO much! Most parents ask to make the $50 deposit now, just to safely block their date, but they don't know yet my final character, activity plan, the venue/park, or the RSVP count on the kids. Those are easy to adjust at any time later. Blocking your date/time with $50 is the only time-sensitive step.
Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle are the fastest ways to make the $50 deposit, but you can also use a credit card.
Sadly, every week parents get upset if their date sells out while they sweetly waited for a cute 4 year-old who keeps changing their mind on my character. Please don’t worry about your child finalizing their choice to block a date. They can decide my character later!
I know kids change their minds :) I also know details like RSVP count changes. Don't worry! Changes are easy with me. Adjusting the activity plan, venue, character...Are actually easier later on, after you get the RSVPs back anyway. Please don't delay. Ask about your date on this form or text me 1-510-495-5564
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7. How do I pay?
Ask me for the deposit info by text/call 1-510-495-5564, or fill out this form.
During checkout you'll choose to make the $50 desposit and pay the rest at the event, or to pay in full now, if you don't want to deal with money on the stressful party day. Up to you.
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8. Do I need 1, 1.5 or 2 Hours? Can I add time during the party?
Longer is always better, it just is. But I tell parents the truth: Book the longest you can afford.
Some parents book 2 Hours for 8 kids, or just 1 Hour for 25 kids. It is your call. I have no rules about how long you must bnook for a certain number of kids, because every show is different and I adjust to the ages and numbers of kids I see on the spot. More time means more activities. Less time but more kids means less activities.
In general, for around 10 kids, in 1 Hour I can fit 2-4 activities, like singing the movie song for the character, a magic show or puppet story, face painting and/or twisty balloons. A lot of parents who don't know how many kids will RSVP book 1.5 hours because it is a versatile amount of time.
I've done 3,000 parties to date. Parents tell me my skills are SUPER fast compared to what they've seen. Other websites have a "1.5 Hour" minimum package, but sweet parents learn too late, at the party, "1.5 Hour" is for the same activity plan I do in only one hour. An "Extra 30 minutes" sounds great, until parents see that often translates in reality to a "half-hour more" of poor kids just waiting in line for their slower balloon or slower face paint turn. It sounds "longer," but it's not better. Nobody likes waiting.
Can you add time on the party day? Sorry, sometimes but not usually. I would love to add time during the party itself, but other families usually book me back-to-back. The safest move is to save as much time as you can afford, right now. I promise I'll rock it and be worth every cent. I'm $79 for each 30 minutes. It's worth it. I bring a LOT of value to the party compared to how easy it is to blow $79 on other party spending.
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9. Will boys feel included?
My B.A. was in Child Psychology. My thesis, which earned me double-honors, (double yay!), was on gender. I'm the last person to have rigid gender rules, and kids sense it about me. Around 50% of my parties are for little dudes. I play super-heros, wizards, pirates...as often as I play princesses.
Even when I'm dressed like a princess, one mom said I'm not a, "stand there and look pretty," company. Those totally exist. I feel they're a bit overpriced for just "being" there. That’s just not my thing. I bring 10 years of hard-earned party skills that kids want. I face paint dragons, zombies, super-heros...I twist balloons into airplanes, swords...even when you asked for a princess. Nobody is left out.
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10. Cancellation policy
If you cancel with less than 48 hours notice, I retain the $50 deposit. If you don’t want to cancel, and only want to change dates, as long as your new date is open for me and you ask me before 48 hours from your booked date, I'm happy to move your deposit and change your date for free.