Melissa H, California
- 10/31/2025
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 31, 2025
Josue from CA askedmy daughter has a Annual Pass. we would like to visit the resort on a day she is blocked. do i need to purchase a full ticket or can i purchase a bonus day since she has a annual pass?Melissa AnsweredHello there, Josue. Thanks for visiting planDisney! I am always happy to help Disneyland Magic Key holders with their questions, so I am glad you've stopped by!Magic Key holders wishing to visit on a...View Related Videos - On Oct 30, 2025
Svetlana from NV askedGoing to Disneyland on November 4. Is it night parade will going in that day?Melissa AnsweredGreetings, Svetlana. Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney! We're happy to help you make the most of your Disneyland vacation. So let's get to it!Svetlana, I looked at the Hours &...View Related Videos5 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Disneyland Resort In 2025
- On Oct 28, 2025
Jeanette from AZ askedWill 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 Videos5 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Disneyland Resort In 2025
- On Oct 27, 2025
Kristen from WI askedDoes the entire family need to be scanned in and inside the park before lightning lanes can be reserved for the family? Or can one adult head in early while the other adult is getting the kids ready at the hotel,? This is specific to the Disneyland parks,Melissa AnsweredHiya, Kristen! Thanks for bringing your excellent question to planDisney. It sounds like you and your family will be racing to the parks for a Piston Cup amount of fun, so let's get you an answer!At...View Related Videos - On Oct 26, 2025
Kathy from CA askedHi- I’m following up to a post I saw about the entrances into Disneyland 😊 I just want to confirm that we can ride the monorail with a valid ticket and reservation, but don’t have to be staying at one of the Disneyland Hotels. Thanks!Melissa AnsweredGreetings, Kathy! Thanks for stopping by with your excellent. There is little I love more than talking about Disneyland transportation, so I'm glad you're here!With a valid theme park ticket and...View Related Videos