Janet G.Anaheim, CA157130
via YelpMy daughter was extremely happy with the mermaid and team sent by once upon an island. They were attentive to the kids and made them believe they were real mermaids. My daughter said it was the best bday ever!
Traveling characters · anywhere in Orange County
Princess Characters for Birthday Parties in Orange County
You already have the venue. We bring the magic to it. Our princesses, mermaids, pirates and fairies travel across Orange County for one-hour birthday appearances, from the same cast who host parties on Balboa Island every week.
$225 one hour, at your home or venue
Book a Character See All Characters
Additional time is available and prorated at the same hourly rate.
One hour, at your address
Witness the magic.
A special visit from her favourite princess, and for one whole hour she gets to be the star of it.
She comes through the door already in character and never once steps out of it. There is an entrance worth holding your phone up for, and the birthday girl is greeted first and by name. There is a story the children are inside of rather than listening to, and songs they somehow already know every word of. Glitter and gems are set on cheeks one at a time, so every child gets a turn at being looked after. Games run without anybody having to organise them. Photographs happen while everyone still looks their best. And at the end she leads the candles, so the wish is made inside the story rather than beside it.
✦ REAL VISITS, REAL FRONT GARDENS ✦
✦ Over a decade on Balboa Island. Characters your children already believe in. One team behind every one of them. ✧
Since before most of them existed
The longest-running character company on this coast.
We have been sending characters to Orange County homes since 2015, from a venue we run seven days a week. The performer at your door does this for a living, every week, with a company behind her.
3,500+parties hosted and counting
10+ yrsone of Orange County’s longest-standing traveling character services
The only onetraveling character company in Orange County with full-time staff and a venue of our own
That last one is the difference you feel on the day. Our characters work at Once Upon an Island. They rehearse here, their costumes are made and mended here, and there is an office answering the phone when you call about your date.
One hour · $225 · anywhere in Orange County
We entertain. You enjoy the party.
One hour, start to finish, run entirely by her. You are never gathering the children, filling a silence or working out what comes after the cake.
Grand entrance
She does not slip in through the kitchen. Her arrival is the moment, and the birthday child is greeted first and by name.
Interactive storytime
A story the children are inside of rather than listening to, with parts to play and questions to answer.
Music and sing-along
The songs they already know by heart, led by someone who sings them properly.
Glitter makeovers
Glitter makeup and face gems for the girls. Temporary tattoos are available for boys, or for any child who would rather have one, on request.
Themed games and activities
Character-led games woven through the hour as time allows, so there is never a flat stretch where the parents have to step in.
Photos with everyone
Photographs with the birthday child, the family and every guest who wants one.
Cake and candles
She leads the birthday moment, so the candles are lit inside the story rather than beside it.
Every appearance is one hour. Additional time is available and prorated at the same hourly rate.
Whoever she has been waiting to meet
See our characters.
A few of the ones children ask for most. Every one of them travels across Orange County for a one-hour visit at $225, and if the one she loves is not here, ask us. Tap any character to see what she does at a party and what can be added to her hour.
Straight from NeverlandThe Neverland Mermaidon land in her walking tail, or in the water$225 · one hour
The Mermaid Princesscomparable to Ariel or the Little Mermaid$225 · one hour
The Snow Queencomparable to Elsa$225 · one hour
The Snow Princesscomparable to Anna$225 · one hour
The Tower Princesscomparable to Rapunzel$225 · one hour
The Beauty Princesscomparable to Belle or Beauty and the Beast$225 · one hour
Cinderellathe glass slipper princess$225 · one hour
The Sleeping Princesscomparable to Aurora or Sleeping Beauty$225 · one hour
The Island Princesscomparable to Moana$225 · one hour
The Frog Princesscomparable to Tiana or the Frog Prince$225 · one hour
The Magic Carpet Princesscomparable to Jasmine or Aladdin$225 · one hour
The Warrior Princesscomparable to Mulan$225 · one hour
The Scottish Princesscomparable to Merida$225 · one hour
The Spanish Princesscomparable to Elena$225 · one hour
The Amulet Princesscomparable to Sofia the First$225 · one hour
Snow Whitethe original fairytale princess$225 · one hour
The Mushroom Princesscomparable to Princess Peach$225 · one hour
The Tink Fairycomparable to Tinker Bell$225 · one hour
Peter Panthe boy who never grew up$225 · one hour
The Neverland Pirate Captainour own swashbuckling pirate$225 · one hour
Gabby’s Dollhousecomparable to Gabby$225 · one hour
Taylor Swift Tribute Artista tribute to Taylor Swift$225 · one hour
Request a character you don’t see
superheroes, seasonal characters, something she invented herself
Ask us
We have never hired a publicist
The parties people wrote about were traveling parties.
Both of our national features covered our traveling characters at private celebrations.
E! News
Covered the mermaid birthday celebration Flip or Flop’s Tarek El Moussa gave his daughter Taylor.
People
Shared exclusive photos from Gretchen Rossi’s daughter Skylar’s first-birthday mermaid party with us.
From parents who booked a character, not a venue
But don’t take it from us.
Real Yelp reviews from families who had one of our characters come to them.
Grace J.San Francisco, CA193
via YelpWe had Elsa for my daughter’s birthday, and she was absolutely amazing! First, she arrived right on time. Second, she looked just like Elsa from the movie, if not even more beautiful! Most importantly, she was so engaged and connected with my daughter the entire hour. I truly appreciated how professional and wonderful she was throughout the whole experience. When I asked my daughter what her favorite part of her birthday was, without any hesitation she said, “Meeting Elsa!” Thank you, Elsa, for coming all the way out to Irvine. Everyone had such a blast with you, and you made the day so special for our daughter.
Robyn A.Anaheim, CA040
via YelpI can not express how truly grateful I am to Once Upon An Island for making a little girl whose been through so much this past year have an absolutely spectacular 4th birthday. They sent us the most perfect Elsa. She was truly wonderful and a huge hit. She made my great nieces day. She was so kind, gentle and patient with the 2 of them. She went above and beyond; making a birthday memory that will be remembered all of their lives. She arrived just like clockwork and surprised the girls. She sang and danced and played non-stop.
Miriam F.Long Beach, CA3320
via YelpWow. Way better than I even expected. We had four FANTASTIC mermaids for our party. Everything was totally seamless, the kids had an amazing time celebrating my daughter’s fifth birthday. It literally couldn’t have been better.
Brett T.Laguna Hills, CA0201
via YelpWhat a well run company! The characters are fantastic with kids, and are so professional from being on time to the office manager attending to all my scheduling needs. This is a must stop shop for every kids birthday party! What a memory! Five stars!
Amy B.Newport Beach, CA092
via YelpEverything from start to finish was easy! Had a pretty odd request and the team came through with flying colors helping to make all the planning make sense and the flow of the party carry on flawlessly. Was the perfect focal point that brought happiness to the attendees and made the theme come to life. Totally recommend!
Rachel R.Pasadena, CA2163929
via YelpThank you to our hosts and mermaid princesses for making my daughter’s 6th birthday unforgettable! Once Upon an Island was great at pre-party communication and details. Despite the hot summer weather, the team was able to make the poolside celebration fun for all (including the parents!)
KyraAnne G.Huntington Beach, CA2861554
via Yelp“Rapunzel” was amazing! She had the perfect look and princess voice. She could even sing beautifully. She did very well with our group of 3 and 4 year old girls. My daughter hasn’t stopped talking about it. We went with this company on a friend’s recommendation, and will absolutely use them again in the future!
Laura H.Newport Beach, CA8748365
via YelpThank you again for a second incredible party! Jasmine was incredible and so sweet with the kids. We loved the transparent mask she wore! The kids were so delighted to see her and so much fun! Customer Service from initial contact was great!
Where they come from
They are not visiting from an agency.
Our characters work at Once Upon an Island. They host parties in the lagoon and the salon on Balboa Island most days of the week, which is where a great many Orange County children meet one for the first time. It means the character at your door has done this hundreds of times, in a costume made and mended in our own workroom rather than sourced for the afternoon.
✦ You are not booking an individual performer. You are booking an established children’s entertainment company with a professional team behind every appearance. ✧
Everything is made here
Tails, gowns and coats are built and mended in our own workroom, so the character at your door is the one your child already met on the island.
She looks like herself
Every character is finished and checked before she leaves for your address. A child who has waited all year for this will notice if she is not quite right.
They have done this all week
The same characters run parties, salons and lagoon days all week. Your Saturday is not the first time one of them has been asked a hard question by a five-year-old.
Make the hour bigger
Character add-ons.
Every add-on is arranged when you book and led by your character during the visit.
Deluxe Face Gems $8 per child
Every visit already includes glitter makeup and three or four small face gems for each child. The deluxe upgrade gives every child a full gem sheet and the whole glamour look, which is the version that ends up in the photographs.
Crystal Tiara Crowning Ceremony $20
Her character presents a real crystal tiara during a royal crowning ceremony. It is the photograph most parents end up framing.
Character Plush Experience $15 per child
A build-and-stuff experience where every child creates their own themed plush friend, with their character helping. Each one goes home with a guest.
Mini Tea Party $125
For up to 12 children. Your character brings miniature porcelain tea cups and sets a proper little tea party, picnic-style or at a table. Turn her character visit into a miniature Princess Tea Party. Beverages are provided by the family; pink lemonade works beautifully.
The Traveling Salon Inquire for pricing
For families who want the full transformation experience, our illuminated salon setup can travel with your character for complete children’s makeovers alongside the visit.
Where we travel
Anywhere in Orange County.
Our characters travel to homes, clubhouses, parks, hotels and private venues across Orange County from our Newport Beach base. Tell us where the party is and we will confirm availability for your date.
Or let us host the whole thing
Want us to host the entire celebration?
Our all-inclusive birthday parties on Balboa Island include the private venue, characters, transformations, food, activities, setup and cleanup, starting at $900.
Explore All-Inclusive Birthday Parties Full-Service Travel Parties
An 18% gratuity minimum applies to all bookings. Travel fees may apply outside of Newport Beach.