Melissa H, California
- 10/29/2025
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 Oct 28, 2025
Jeanette from AZ asked“Will Disneyland be Halloween themed on November 1st 2025?”Melissa AnsweredGhoulish greetings, Jeanette. Thanks for bringing your fantastic question to planDisney. What a treat it is to help you!Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort runs through October 31, which means...View Related Videos
5 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Disneyland Resort In 2025
- On Oct 21, 2025
Jodi from AZ asked“Can I bring my Stanley water bottle into the park?”Melissa AnsweredHi there, Jodi. Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your great question!One of the best ways to stay hydrated during long theme park days is by bringing a reusable water bottle. My family does...View Related Videos5 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Disneyland Resort In 2025
- On Oct 18, 2025
Anne from CA asked“Hi, we will be at Disneyland on the 29th. I have a dinner reservation at the great maple. Are we able to get to this reservation if we are not visiting California adventure?”Melissa AnsweredHello there, Anne. Thanks for visiting planDisney with your question. Great Maple is one of my favorite Disneyland Resort Hotel restaurants, and I am so happy that you will be eating there on your...View Related Videos
- On Oct 18, 2025
Reyna from CA asked“Do all restaurants take walk ins if they have no availability for a reservation?”Melissa AnsweredHello there, Reyna! I'm so glad you've stopped by with your question.Restaurants at the Disneyland Resort that accept advanced dining reservations generally offer a limited number of Walk-Ups each...View Related Videos - On Oct 17, 2025
Kevin from CA asked“Hello! We were gifted a stay at the Villas at the Disneyland Hotel through a friend. We want to add on a cabana or pod during our stay. Does our friend need to do this through DVC services, or can we do it through the hotel front desk ourselves? Thanks!”Melissa AnsweredHi there, Kevin. Thanks so much for visiting planDisney with your question! What a lovely friend you've got, and I love that you want to add extra magic with a cabana or pod rental.Kevin, you can...View Related Videos