
Melissa H, California
- 7/18/2025
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 Jul 14, 2025
Rita from CA askedOur reservation for Goofy’s kitchen is at 9:40 am, are we required to leave before the 11am brunch/lunch begins?Melissa AnsweredHi there, Rita. Thanks for visiting planDisney with your great question. It sounds like you've got some tasty food in your future, so let's get you an answer!Until August 21, Goofy's Kitchen will be...View Related VideosUltimate Guide To Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2025
- On Jul 10, 2025
David from TX askedHello, we are scheduled for a trip to Disneyland, arriving 09/08/25. We were hoping to make an advanced dining reservation at Storytellers Cafe for our visit, however the reservation calendar seems to have stopped showing open dates at August 21st.Melissa AnsweredHi there, David. Thanks for stopping by with your dining reservation question! It appears that some happy haunts were playing with the Storytellers Cafe reservation calendar and loading new seatings...View Related VideosA Look Inside The Haunted Mansion Ballroom | planDisney Podcast - Episode 3
- On Jul 10, 2025
Victoria from CA askedHello! I am unable to find the guaranteed hours for this November the 13th. I see last year there was an event Wednesday the 13th that made it a 7pm closing. Is it possible to figure out the hours to avoid missing out on valuable park.time! Thank you☺️Melissa AnsweredHiya, Victoria! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your great question.The Disneyland Resort generally publishes park hours six weeks in advance, so we will need to wait until early October to...View Related VideosUltimate Guide To Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival 2025
- On Jul 9, 2025
Alexis from TX askedHello! We are planning on taking our son to see Lightning McQueen and Mater this year, however we are worried that they will be in their costumes all day long. Will they look normal during the day and then nighttime in their costumes? Thanks!Melissa AnsweredHi there, Alexis. Thank you for racing over to planDisney with your question!I wish I had better news, but unless there is a change from previous years, you and your little one will see Lightning,...View Related Videos - On Jul 9, 2025
Ac from Cavite askedIf my child will visit Disneyland at the age of 2 years and 11 months, Should I have to take entrance ticket? thank youMelissa AnsweredGreetings, AC. Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question!If your child is under 3 years of age, they are welcome to visit Disneyland as a Guest of Mickey and do not require a theme park...View Related Videos