Preorder FAQs

Currently, preorders are available for select Halloween decorations. Check back often as we will regularly update and expand our offerings!

Some preorder items have a shipping surcharge due to their larger size or weight, which incurs higher shipping costs than smaller items that can be shipped at standard rates.

You'll receive an estimated shipping or pickup date once your preorder item arrives at its shipping location (i.e., your local Party City store or our distribution facility). Shortly after the item arrives, we'll send you a shipping confirmation email or a pickup in-progress email as soon as the item is ready.

Some preorder products have dimensions and/or weights that exceed the limits for home delivery. These items are exclusively available for in-store pickup at Party City locations.

Your card will be pre-authorized for the full amount when you place a preorder. The preauthorization amount is not an actual charge but a temporary hold. You will only be charged once the item is ready for shipment or pickup.

If you have any questions about your hold, please call your bank and call us if you have any further questions.

When the item is ready to ship or be picked up, the authorization will move to a charge. Additional items in each of your orders will be charged as they ship or are picked up.

Preorder items can be purchased with select coupons or promotions. Items are also included in free shipping and delivery promotions as applicable, when minimum thresholds are met for an order.

Order cancellations may occur if the merchandise fails to arrive due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

If an order is cancelled, funds should be returned to your bank account within 5-7 business days after cancellation is processed, depending on your bank's policies and processing times. For any specific questions regarding your order, please contact us at Preorderinquiries@partycity.com with your order number and our team will help you. Please have your order number ready for us to help you get to a speedy resolution.

We have a finite inventory of our collections, and the preorder was intended to allow customers to secure their animatronics early before they arrive in stores. Out of stock items will not be restocked later in the season.

Select animatronics and groundbreakers are not available for shipping this season and can only be picked up in store. For in-store pick-up only items, if they show as out of stock at your selected store online, we suggest using our website’s store locator to expand your store radius see its availability at other stores near you.

Select animatronics like Cthulhu and the Contaminated Kid, as well as our Groundbreakers Rattles and Embers are too large to ship, and only available for in-store pick-up. Our team hears your feedback and will look into additional options for shipping and pickup next season.

If you placed multiple orders with distinct order numbers or a single order with a duplicate number of the same item, your order will be processed as separate orders, so separate credit authorizations & shipments would apply.

To place a pre-order, you must have an account and be logged-in. If you are logged into your account and an item still appears available to add to cart on our website but is showing as sold out, the item is out of stock. If you need assistance with an order please contact us at Preorderinquiries@partycity.com and our team will help you.

If you would like to cancel your pre-order, please contact us at Preorderinquiries@partycity.com and our team will help you. If you choose to place a new order to take advantage of a coupon or promotion, we cannot guarantee that items from your prior order will still be available or in stock.

If you would like to change your pre-order payment method, please contact us at Preorderinquiries@partycity.com and our team will help you. If you choose to change your pre-order payment method, this will be a new order and we cannot guarantee that items from your prior order will still be available or in stock.

You'll receive an estimated shipping or pickup date once your preorder item arrives at our facility. We'll send you a shipping confirmation email or a pickup in-progress email as soon as the item is ready. We will notify customers of any arrival date changes for confirmed purchases via email.