6/1/2022: We are no longer accepting birthday party bookings. Please check back for future updates. Please email windycitywishes@gmail.com directly for corporate events, meet and greets, or character dining events
Covid-19 Safety Precautions:
What has changed on your end regarding new procedures due to COVID-19?
We have communicated with our cast members to make sure they feel safe performing for parties and events. If a cast member is not comfortable performing just yet we are allowing them the time to decide when they feel ready to perform again.
All performers have been instructed to check their temperatures frequently leading up to their appearance. We have made arrangements to always have backup performers on-call should the originally booked performer show any that could be related to COVID-19. Performers have been equipped with hand sanitizer and other cleaning products to keep with them during their transport to and from your party location. They have been instructed to sanitize immediately before walking in to your party and again after their visit.
While we always make sure our costumes are sanitized, washed and steamed frequently we have invested in new cleaning products and are providing our performers with an on-the-go garment sanitizing spray should they feel the need to use it before or after an appearance.
Activities during the character's visit are designed for minimal physical contact. We have temporarily suspended mini makeover services until we feel it is safe to resume. If a performer is attended with another member of our staff, the attendant will handle any props such as story books, music speakers etc to avoid any passing of germs between guests.
**As much as we love hugs, we have instructed our performers to use minimal forms of personal contact as much as possible. Hugs will be allowed but kept to a minimum. Performers have also been instructed to avoid kneeling or bending down to a face-to-face level with children as much as possible just as a precaution.
What has changed on our end regarding hosting a performer for our party or event?
We ask that when sending invites to your party or event consider how many people will be attending and if the invitees can be trusted to only come if they are showing no symptoms of COVID-19.
Please have an accessible place for the performer to wash their hands should they feel the need to at any time during your party. We also request that you allow your guests the availability to wash their hands as needed.
Should you feel having an outdoor party is better during this time to allow additional space for personal distance we understand, however we do ask that you provided a shaded area or available cooled indoor space for the performer to utilize during their visit. Our costumes are made of high quality materials and sometimes multiple layers so it can become increasingly uncomfortable and unsafe for our performers to be in the summer heat for a prolonged period of time.
Surprises are the best, but due to the circumstances, we ask that you inform the birthday child and their guests of the character(s) visit and make them aware of the limited personal contact.
As always, our performers reserve the right to leave a party or event with full compensation should they feel their health or safety is at risk. This is part of our general terms & conditions agreed to when booking one of our characters.
Are these new policies permanent?
No these policies are not permanent. These policies are updated as necessary as we keep track of the progression of COVID-19. When the virus no longer appears to be a threat we will resume all services and normal operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why book Windy City Wishes?
The performers of our company can guarantee that your party or event will magical for all who attend. We can work with you on activities, songs, games, characters and even budgets. We strive to make sure all clients are satisfied and all little princes and princesses are enthralled with our fairytale characters.
Windy City Wishes is in NO way affiliated with any theme parks or other entertainment corporations. All characters are based off of a variety of fairytale works and ideas that are public domain and have no rights with other companies.
Do I need a deposit?
Yes! All parties require a minimum $50 deposit. This is to secure your party date, time and performer. We will send you an invoice for the remaining amount to your email address through PayPal which will be due 24 hours prior to the party, otherwise you forfeit your booking and deposit. The deposit is non-refundable unless through cancellation by our company from emergencies.
Should you need to cancel your booking all payments are 100% transferable to a date booked within 90 days of the original booking date however there is a $20 rescheduling fee that must be satisfied before services are rendered along with any other package fees that were not satisfied. *Availability may vary by date and character.
30 Minute party packages require payment in full.
When should I book?
The suggested time to book a party is four weeks prior. You are always welcome to submit a last minute request, but due to high demand, it is better if you contact us in advance to secure your party.
Do I need to tip?
Gratuity is NOT included in our packages or events. It is not mandatory to tip, but if you feel your princess has exceeded expectations, please tip your performer!
Should I hire a photographer?
Absolutely! If it is within your budget to add a photographer to your party, do so! The photos you receive will be magical memories you can look back on later! Ask us how to include one with your party package!
What are your policies?
Policies
Retainer: A $50.00 non-refundable retainer is required to hold your time slot and date. This
retainer will be paid via a Paypal invoice, payable via debit/credit card. We do not accept
checks. After agreeing that your preferred time and date slots are available, you have 48
hours to complete our contract(s) and pay the retainer. Your event time and date is not
booked until payment of the retainer has cleared. Payment of the retainer indicates
agreement to the terms and conditions listed here.
Balance: The remaining balance of your party will be due 24 hours prior to the event via
Paypal. We do not accept checks. If you wish to pay the remaining balance in cash the day of
the event, please notify Windy City Wishes via email 24 hours before the event. Cash must be
collected immediately prior to the event. Absolutely NO refunds after the performance is
started.
Performer Interactions: For the entire duration of our performers being on scene, our
performers will remain in character! Please refrain from referring to the performer by their
given name, or asking questions about the costume or company. We would be happy to
answer these questions outside after the party without little eyes or ears nearby, or via
phone, e-mail or Facebook! Please help us to keep the magic alive!
Photo Release: If your party or event includes an event host, they may take photos/video
footage. Footage of guests may be used for any and all Windy City Wishes social media,
website, and marketing materials. Windy City Wishes has rights to all footage. A professional
photography add-on is available at an additional charge. Galleries may be purchased at an
additional charge.
Performer Requests: While we do our best to accommodate special requests, we cannot
guarantee requests for specific performers. All of our performers are beautiful, highly trained
entertainers and actresses.
Event Host: Most parties will include an Event Host. The Event Host will be there to help both
parents and performers set up and clean-up activities, as well as to accept payment from the
client and answer any questions they might have to help the performers stay in character.
While Windy City Wishes strives to have a host at every party, it is not always possible. You
will be notified if an event host will not be in attendance. Event host will not be provided for
the Silver and Silver PLUS Packages.
Gratuity: Gratuity for the performers is not required, but if you feel the performers were
exceptional in their party, it is always appreciated.
Substance Use: We do not allow smoking, alcohol, or the use of any other substance while
our performers are in attendance at an event. Any guest smoking or drinking will be asked by
the Event Host to step outside. Failure to comply will result in the character(s) leaving the
party immediately with full compensation from the client.
Pets/Animals: While we at Windy City Wishes are avid animal lovers, we ask for the
protection of our performers and of our costumes, for pets to be leashed and away from the
Character. The Event Host will ask for any unleashed pets to be leashed and/or removed from
the party space. Failure to comply will result in the character(s) leaving the party
immediately with full compensation from the client.
Performer Rights: If at any time a Performer or Event Host feels that they are in a
threatening, hostile, unsafe, harmful, hazardous, or unsanitary environment, that Performer
or Event Host retains the right to leave with full compensation from the client. The
Performer or Event Host also has the right to refuse to perform services if the client is
negligent, absent, inattentive, disrespectful, and/or inebriated or under the influence of
any foreign substance.
Performer Safety/Weather Conditions: For the sake of our performers' safety and the
maintenance of our equipment, we will not perform parties outdoors in temperatures
below 65F or exceeding 80F. For temperatures 75F-80F there must be a shade option. If
there is any form of inclement weather (rain, hail, wind, snow, etc.), with any level of
severity, the client assumes full responsibility to find an indoor alternate venue and notify
Windy City Wishes with a minimum of 24 hours notice. If finding an indoor venue is for any
reason not possible, a "rain date" may be scheduled on an available date. If no date can be
settled upon before one week (7 days) of the original event date, this contract shall become
null and void, all retainer and balance payments shall be refunded, and both parties shall
have no further legal recourse against each other.
Force Majeure: If either party must cancel the engagement due to an “Act of God”, “Force
Majeure”, riot, strike, epidemic, or by the order of any public authority, a “rain date” may be
arranged on an available date. If no date can be settled upon within 30 days, this contract
shall become null and void, all retainer and balance payments shall be refunded, and both
parties shall have no further legal recourse against each other.
Disclaimer: It is not the intention of Windy City Wishes to violate any copyright laws. Our
characters are not name brand copyrighted characters. Our characters are generic inspiration
gathered from the most popular fairytale characters. We are in no way affiliated with
any brands/companies or theme parks. If you are interested in booking trademark
characters please contact the owner of the intellectual property.
Event advertisements and marketing: Please adhere to the above disclaimer when
advertising events (meet and greet, character dining, charity, etc.) in partnership with Windy
City Wishes. Avoid usage of copyrighted names and images in advertising and marketing
materials; including social media posts, email advertisements, ticketing websites (i.e.
Eventbrite), flyers, etc.
Other Policies:
All hosts are expected to keep the time as our performers will not perform with their phones, clocks or watches directly available to them. Any time the performer spends over their scheduled time will be billed for accordingly to the party host/original booker.
Our cast members can guarantee that your party will be magical, fun and exciting for all that attend. We offer a variety of storybook characters who bring the fantasies to life in a memorable and magical way.
Character performers may vary from those in promotional pictures. Should you want a specific performer to attend your event or party, please let us know at time of booking. While we can't promise the performer you request will be the same for your event, we can guarantee that all performers are professional and will give your child a magical experience.
It is not our intention to violate any copyright, trademark or licensing laws. Our characters are NOT name brand copyrighted characters, and are inspired from public domain stories. We only accept event bookings from those who are aware that we do not offer any licensed characters, nor do we work for or represent the Walt Disney Company or other entertainment corporations. **In the event that you require a licensed copyrighted character, you should contact the company and or copyright holder.**
We reserve the right to refuse any parties or events that do not have the best interests of our performers, such as and not limited to dangerous environments, inappropriate party requests, far travel location, etc. The performers reserve the right to leave a party in the event of an unsafe environment, the arrival of law enforcement, offensive guests or the presence of drugs, smoking or alcohol.
Please note that our princesses are professional performers and are not responsible for taking care of or "babysitting" the children present at the party, and are simply entertainers.
Our performers work solely for Windy City wishes and will not perform with other costumed characters or hired companies at your event or party. If there are other costumed characters that may cause problems such as other princesses or superheroes, our performers have the right to leave the event. This is simply to keep the magic for the children and keep our actors in prepared situations.
From the moment of arrival until leaving the party, our performers will stay in character. Please do NOT ask questions about the costumes, company or performers' personal lives.
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact us through our Facebook, website or email.