
Melissa H, California
- 9/11/2025
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 Sep 4, 2025
Tania from CA askedWhat time is check-in at your hotels?Melissa AnsweredGreetings, Tania! Thanks for visiting planDisney. Your visit is almost here - you must be giddy with excitement!Check-in time for all three of the Disneyland Resort Hotels is 3:00 PM. However, you... - On Sep 3, 2025
Zaida from CA askedwhat is the poolside cabana rate for half day and full day at the Grand Californian Hotel?Melissa AnsweredGreetings, Zaida. Thanks for swimming by planDisney with your question! I am happy to help you on your way to a day of relaxation.The current rates for a cabana rental at the Grand Californian Hotel... - On Sep 2, 2025
Margaret from CA askedI want to rope drop at Disneyland on Sun 9/7.25 so I’d like to be arriving at a parking lot by 7:15am. I understand that is the day of the 1/2 marathon and that there will be road closures still at that time of day. Where can I park easily that early?Melissa AnsweredHello there, Margaret. Your visit is almost here, and I'm so happy to help answer your question!Parking at the Disneyland Resort opens 60 minutes before the earliest standard theme park opening that...View Related VideosBeginner’s Guide to runDisney | planDisney Podcast – Season 3 Episode 3
- On Sep 2, 2025
Tameika from CA askedCan i get physical Disneyland tickets ?Melissa AnsweredHowdy, Tameika. Thanks for stopping by with your ticket question! While the Disneyland Mobile App is awesome for accessing park tickets and can help guests take charge of everything from dining... - On Sep 2, 2025
Maya from CA askedI tried to book dining for Nov 1st 2025 at Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans but the restaurants are closed. In fact, the only reservation restaurant open is Plaza Inn. Do you know why?Melissa AnsweredHi there, Maya. Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your delicious question. I am glad you are here!Disneyland dining reservations tend to open up right at the 60-day mark, and some restaurants...View Related VideosplanDisney Podcast presented by State Farm - Mickey's Toontown