Melissa H, California
- 8/21/2025
About Me
Hello from sunny Southern California! I am Melissa, and I was born and raised just down the road from the Disneyland Resort.
While pursuing an undergraduate degree in history at UCLA, I spent two adventure-filled quarters studying in Cambridge, England and Washington, D.C. While both created a lifelong love of travel and exploring new places, it was an internship at the Smithsonian Institution in D.C. that sparked my love of public history. For nearly 15 years, I have been an archivist at the National Archives & Records Administration. My specialty is presidential papers. Did you know that then-Vice President Nixon dedicated the Disneyland Monorail?!
When I am not at the Happiest Place on Earth or in the stacks at work, I love to bake, read, crochet, and travel with my husband and three kids.
About My Family
My music man husband and I have been Disneyland Annual Passholders since we were dating. In fact, the first time he introduced me as his girlfriend was while we were sitting at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland!
Married for 16 years, we have three school-aged Mouseketeers that love all things Disney as much as we do. My family of thrill-seekers loves Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain, but we also love to slow down and enjoy the fun of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and the Disneyland Fire Station. Watching my children's imaginations take flight is one of my favorite parts of Disney adventures.
Our family also loves swimming, board games, and traveling. Some of our favorite destinations include Hawaii, Wyoming, South Dakota, Disneyland Paris, and a Disney cruise to Mexico.
About My Disney Experience
From my first trip to Disneyland as a baby to going on dates with my future husband, Disneyland has been a constant in my life. As a kid, I collected Disney snow globes, figurines, and books, and my VHS copies of Cinderella and Disney's Sing-Along Songs: The Bare Necessities were worn out from constant use. Then, there is the memory of my Grandpa taking me to see The Little Mermaid and having to sit three rows from the front in a packed theater.
However, it was my time in high school marching band that elevated my love of Disney. Every year, we'd march down Main Street, U.S.A. as part of the Disneyland Community Arts Showcase. The feeling and excitement of being "on stage" and marching down the street that Walt built is something that I've carried with me ever since. It was also with the band that I took my first trip to Walt Disney World during it's 25th anniversary!
I've now experienced Disneyland as a child, a teen, a newlywed, and a parent. I love using all of that experience to curate the perfect Disneyland Resort visit for myself and others.
My expertise extends "beyond the reef" to Walt Disney World, runDisney events, and Disney Cruise Line. With my versatile Disney background, just call me Elastigirl!
Questions I’ve Answered
- On Aug 21, 2025
Elizabeth from SC asked“Is the Blue Bayou closed? I can't believe that every day in August and September is sold out. Thank you”Melissa AnsweredWelcome to planDisney, Elizabeth. Your visit to the Happiest Place on Earth is nearly here - you must be so excited!I am happy to answer your question about Blue Bayou. Advanced dining reservations...View Related Videos
planDisney Podcast presented by State Farm - Mickey's Toontown
- On Aug 19, 2025
Stephanie from CA asked“Hi I’m looking to reserve a spot for the oogie boogie bash dessert party but wanted to use a Disney gift card I have to pay for it is there a way to do that or is it not available?”Melissa AnsweredBoo to you, Stephanie! I am happy to hear you'll be attending Oogie Boogie Bash soon. My family and I went on Sunday, and had a blast!I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, there...View Related Videos
- On Aug 19, 2025
Britani from CA asked“Is Fantasmic! scheduled for Monday, September 1? I see they are offering Fantasmic! dining packages for that day, but the daily events schedule does not list this show .”Melissa AnsweredHiya, Britani! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your magical question.Great news! I looked at the Hours & Events Calendar on the Disneyland website and see that Fantasmic! is scheduled for... - On Aug 18, 2025
Karen from CA asked“I have admission for DCA and Oogie Boogie bash on same day. Do aI have to leave park and Demeter to use Oogie Boogie ticket?”Melissa AnsweredGhostly greetings, Karen! Thanks for stopping by planDisney.Your question could not have come at a more perfect time - I was at Oogie Boogie Bash (OBB) on Sunday! You'll be happy to know that if you...View Related Videos - On Aug 17, 2025
Katie from NM asked“I have park Reservations for DCA for an Oogie Boogie Bash night and I have tickets to the Bash. My question is do I have to leave the park to check into the Bash or are there other places I can check in within DCA”Melissa AnsweredSpooky greetings, Katie! Welcome to planDisney. I'm glad you've stopped by and are preparing for a frightfully fun time at Oogie Boogie Bash (OBB)!Katie, I was at Oogie Boogie Bash last weekend, and...View Related Videos
