Melissa Tilley

Melissa Tilley

Travel Advisor

Melissa Tilley knows the value of time. Too many families dream of taking a great vacation but never make it happen because they simply don’t have the time, energy or knowledge to plan it well. Melissa understands that firsthand. She was once the overtired mom sitting at her laptop night after night, trying to figure out every detail of a Walt Disney World vacation. Parks, resorts, tickets, dining and everything in between. Eventually, she gave up. Four years later, she asked for the help of a travel agent, but still did the research herself, too. She can't help gathering facts and weighing all the options. Logistics and strategies are her thing. That family trip to Walt Disney World sparked a momentum and thirst for knowledge she couldn’t stop. Watching her children giggle on rides and seeing their eyes sparkle during shows brought her a kind of joy she knew every family deserved to experience without the stress of learning it all to plan. That led her to become a travel advisor. And so, she kept on learning. She expanded her research and training to Disneyland, Disney Cruises, Universal Parks and Resorts, Royal Caribbean and more. Years of firsthand travel experiences later, she continues to travel with her family on “scouting trips,” discovering the best resorts, experiences, strategies and ways to maximize both time and memories. Her family, she’ll tell you, greatly appreciates getting to tag along. Her passion is simple: giving busy families their time back. Melissa uses her expertise, research and firsthand experience to plan the details of a personalized, memory-making vacation. Her clients get to put their time and energy where it belongs, which is into enjoying the trip, being together and making the memories.

melissa@pdphtravel.com 407-205-9078 x 729

How Melissa Works

Time is priceless

Melissa knows that vacation time is precious, and every hour matters. She creates the right strategy so you can experience more of what matters most. She protects your vacation time by helping you spend it wisely. She also protects your everyday time by doing the planning for you. This is time you can spend on the people and experiences you value most.

Personalized travel planning matters

There is no one-size-fits-all perfect vacation. Melissa believes the best trips are thoughtfully designed around your family, your travel style, your priorities and the experiences that will make you say, “That was exactly what we needed.”

Memories matter most

A great vacation is about more than where you go or what you check off a list. Melissa plans with the bigger picture in mind. She is creating opportunities for connection, inspiration, joy and those unforgettable moments you’ll still be talking about long after you’re home.

What Sets Melissa Apart

Melissa came to travel advising with a storyteller's training. She earned a degree in journalism from Texas A&M University and spent years as a features writer, entertainment editor, art museum publicist and symphony communications director. Clear communication, attention to detail, organization and logistics were already her strengths. She plans trips thinking about the stories that will be told and the memories and experiences that shape lives.

Melissa looks forward to rope drop at any theme park. She likes being one of the first guests through the gates, walking through the magical entrance as the sun comes up into a pink-and-blue sky, with fresh baked treats, coffee and popcorn in the air. It is a euphoric state of joy for her. She loves to find out what will bring that feeling to the people she plans trips for to and how to get them there. The important details of each personalized trip matter because of what they add up to for your family. She also believes a trip on the calendar to look forward to lifts your mood, especially on hard days. So the work starts giving something back long before anyone even packs a bag.

Specialties

  • Disneyland
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Walt Disney World
  • Destination Celebrations
  • Family Travel
  • Ocean Cruises
  • Multi-Generational Travel
  • Group Travel
  • Solo Travel
  • Honeymoons & Romance
  • Caribbean & Mexico
  • Adventures by Disney
  • Universal Orlando
  • Universal Hollywood
  • AULANI
  • Milestone & Bucket List
  • Food & Wine
  • Adventure & Active

Parks and Resorts Experience

Disney resorts

Resorts Melissa has stayed at personally.

Walt Disney World — Deluxe

  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's BoardWalk Inn

Walt Disney World — Disney Vacation Club Villas

  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney's Riviera Resort

Walt Disney World — Other on property

  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

Disneyland Resort

  • Disneyland Hotel

Universal hotels

Hotels Melissa has stayed at personally.

Universal Orlando Resort

  • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  • Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  • Universal Helios Grand Hotel
  • Universal Stella Nova Resort

Special events

Events and experiences Melissa has done personally.

Walt Disney World

  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
  • Dessert parties and fireworks viewing

Universal

  • Mardi Gras

Disney Cruise Line ships sailed

Ships Melissa has sailed on.

  • Disney Magic
  • Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line destinations

Ports and itineraries Melissa has sailed.

  • Castaway Cay

Ships' Registry: The Bahamas

Supplier Training

  • Disney College of Knowledge
  • Universal Orlando
  • Travel Insured
  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Royal Caribbean

Cruise Lines Sailed

  • Disney Cruise Line
  • Royal Caribbean