Prestigious Princess Parties brings Disney princess treatment to Iowa

Those yearning to meet a fairytale princess don't have to go all the way to California or Florida.

Instead, Kim Linn of West Branch, the owner of Prestigious Princess Parties, will bring Elsa or Anna or Cinderella to you.

Linn, a stay-at-home mom of four, including three girls, decided to launch the operation because she likes to have parties and to decorate.

Plus, Linn said seeing young children encounter fairytale princesses 'literally brings tears to my eyes.'

'You could have a room full of rowdy kids and as soon as characters come in they just stop and their mouths drop open,' Linn said.

Linn said at a recent party, a little girl exclaimed, 'I can't believe the dolls are real!'

Linn has four women who portray princesses. She said one portrayed Cinderella at the University of Iowa's Homecoming parade last fall. One portrayed Merida from 'Brave,' which for copyright reasons Linn has to refer to as 'The Scottish Princess.'

Most, Linn said, have requested Elsa and Anna from 'Frozen,' whom she refers to for copyright reasons as 'The Snow Queen' and 'The Ice Princess.'

Prices for appearances vary depending on how long the princess stays at the event and how many activities are included.

'Most of our parties have been about an hour, hour and a half and two-hour packages,' Linn said.

Linn said most parties begin with a meet and greet, followed by a princess coronation, in which all participants receive a tiara and are named princesses for a day. Then there is an age-appropriate craft based on the theme and the age, Linn said.

'For one party she was 5 and they decorated snowflakes. For another party it was a 7-year-old with the Scottish princess and they did bracelets,' Linn said.

After the craft, there is singing and the princess reads the participants a book.

Linn goes to every party to ensure the entertainers stay in character, deal with any potential problems, and coordinate the activities. Linn said she provides her own supplies and cleans up after the craft.

The princesses also are available for appearances at special events, Linn said. For example, in February they will appear at a Quad City Mallards game.

'We want them to feel like they went to Disney World. Some kids don't get to go to Disney World,' Linn said.

WANT TO HIRE A PRINCESS?

To hire a princess, about two weeks advance notice is preferred and there is a $50 deposit to hold the date. Locations 26 to 50 miles outside Iowa City require a $15 travel fee. Events must be within 50 miles of Iowa City.http://www.iowacityprincessparties.com/, call (319) 330-5873 or email prestigiousprincessparties@mediacombb.net.

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