For more than a decade, Dream Time Princess Events has helped St. Louis families turn birthdays, milestones, and ordinary weekends into something a little more magical.
Founded by Renee Wigger and her daughter Savannah Morris, the locally owned character entertainment company has grown from small birthday party bookings into a beloved fixture at large-scale events, community celebrations, and charitable gatherings across the region.
Known for its immersive performances, high-quality costumes, and performers who stay in character, Wigger says Dream Time has earned a loyal following—and the trust of parents—by focusing on what matters most: making kids feel seen, celebrated, and swept up in the moment.
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From Parties to Productions
Dream Time’s biggest growth hasn’t come from private bookings alone but from large-scale, ticketed events that turn character entertainment into a full family outing. From princess balls to seasonal festivals, these immersive experiences now anchor the company’s calendar, and 2026 is shaping up to be its most ambitious year yet.
“What I’ve seen grow the most over the years are our big events,” says Wigger, who has since brought in her daughter Haleigh as a co-owner as well. “That’s what we’ve really become known for—our princess balls, our Snow Sisters Winter Festival—these experiences where families can spend hours together, not just a few minutes.”
The 2026 lineup includes returning favorites alongside brand-new concepts designed to reach a wider range of ages and interests. Highlights include the Snow Sisters Winter Festival in February, a Royal Tea & Teddies event in April, the annual Wildwood Ball in August, and a new fall mystery experience for older kids and tweens.
“We’re really trying to expand what character events can look like,” Wigger says. “Not every kid wants the same thing, so we’re creating experiences for little ones, older kids, and even families who want something totally different.”
What sets Dream Time’s events apart, Wigger says, is how deeply performers engage with kids, not only posing for photos but also pulling shy children into the experience, modeling manners, and staying in character from start to finish.
“It’s not just about getting a picture,” she says. “Our performers are trained to interact, to bring kids out of their shells, and to make it feel real. Parents tell us all the time that their kids truly believe they met the character.”
When Magic Matters Most
Beyond ticketed events and birthday parties, Dream Time Princess Events has become a familiar presence at some of the most meaningful moments in the St. Louis community. The company regularly donates appearances to organizations such as Friends of Kids With Cancer, Make-A-Wish, the Dream Factory, and local hospitals and family support groups. The character visits help bring moments of joy to children facing serious illness.
“Those are the moments that stay with you,” Wigger says. “When you see a child light up and, even for a little while, stop thinking about their pain or what they’re going through, that’s why we do this.”
While the demand for donated appearances continues to grow, Wigger says the company is constantly balancing its desire to give back with the reality of paying performers and maintaining high-quality costumes. Still, she says, the goal is always to say yes when it matters most.
“I hate having to say no,” she adds. “We want to be able to do more, because when we do, it’s incredibly rewarding—for the kids, for the families, and for our performers, too.”
One visit, Wigger says, perfectly captures what Dream Time’s work can mean. During a donated event at Grant’s Farm for Friends of Kids With Cancer, one of Dream Time’s performers—herself undergoing cancer treatment—pushed through nausea and exhaustion to stay in character for the children. Afterward, she quietly stepped away to recover, but the kids never saw the struggle. “They just saw the character,” Wigger recalls. “And some of the older kids even showed her their ports, because they had one, too. They connected in a way that was so real—and so healing.”
For Wigger, it was a reminder that the magic isn’t about pretending hardship doesn’t exist; it’s about creating moments where kids don’t have to carry it alone.
Trusted, Trained
Behind every polished gown and perfectly timed curtsy is a level of preparation that most families never see, Wigger says. Maintaining Dream Time’s immersive standard requires constant upkeep, from costume care and wig maintenance to performer training and casting that prioritizes both skill and heart.
“The hardest part is casting,” Wigger says. “You can’t just put anyone in a costume. They have to look the part, but more importantly, they have to truly care about kids.”
Performers go through detailed training guides—often dozens of pages long—that cover everything from character backstories and makeup techniques to how to respond when kids ask tough or unexpected questions.
“Kids know these characters inside and out,” Wigger says. “They’ll ask things you don’t expect, and our performers have to be ready to answer in a way that keeps the magic and keeps things positive.”
That attention to detail extends to costumes and wigs, which are carefully maintained to meet theme park–level standards. “We won’t just grab a costume to say we have a character,” she says. “If we do it, we do it right.”
For parents, Wigger says, trust is built long before the characters arrive through communication, reliability, and a clear sense that the company understands how meaningful these moments are.
“I want parents to feel like they don’t have to do all the work,” Wigger says. “We come in, we take care of everything, and their kids get an experience they’ll remember.”
That trust has translated into repeat families, word-of-mouth growth, and a loyal following. “At the end of the day, parents trust us with something really important: their kids’ joy,” she says. “That’s not something we ever take lightly.”
As Dream Time Princess Events moves through its second decade, Wigger says the focus is on growth without losing what made the company special in the first place. New events, expanded age ranges, and deeper community partnerships are all part of the plan, but the heart of the work remains the same.
“We want to keep coming up with new ways to bring families together and get kids off their phones and into experiences that use their imagination,” Wigger says. “That’s really the goal.”
With a packed 2026 calendar and more ideas already in the works, Dream Time’s future looks as sparkly as its event schedule.
“We genuinely care about these kids and the memories we’re helping create,” Wigger says. “If families walk away feeling like they had a really special day together, then we’ve done our job.”
Dream Time Princess Events 2026
Families looking for early access and discounts can join Dream Time’s VIP Facebook Group or email list, which offers first looks at new events and early-bird ticket pricing, including discounted Princess Ball tickets during the first days of sales.
- Snow Sisters Winter Festival, February 28 (sold out): A fan-favorite winter celebration
- Royal Tea & Teddies, April 18: A spring tea party featuring stuffed animal fun and character interactions
- Wildwood Ball, August 8: The company’s signature annual princess ball
- Royal Autumn Picnic, September (date TBD): A seasonal outdoor event in partnership with local attractions
- The Vanished Treasure, October 3 (tentative): A new 12-and-up mystery-style experience designed for tweens and teens
- 12 Days of Christmas Dining Experience, November 28 (morning): A holiday-themed breakfast event
- A Christmas Dream, November 28 (afternoon): A festive half-day holiday celebration
