Disneyland Fitness Adventures: Yoga in the Park

After the Pixar Pier Fitness Challenge with Shinobu

Angela's Perspective:

For the fourth year in a row, Mom and I spent Mother’s Day at Disneyland, and it was just as magical as always. One of the highlights this year, just like a few years back, was doing sunrise yoga in the park. There’s just something so special about entering Disneyland before it even opens, at 5:30 a.m.

The yoga is led by Shinobu, who is truly the best instructor. She’s full of positive energy and really sets the tone for an amazing experience. Shinobu leads most of the fitness activities through the Grand Californian and is in charge of developing all the programs. Before COVID, there was a gentleman who originally developed the power walk in DCA. I probably did it 5-6 times, including the day before the park shut down. The power walk was no joke. It was a fast-paced walk, and it was the first offering to see any park empty and not quite “show ready.” It used to be free for hotel guests of the Disneyland hotels, but since COVID, things have changed.

Since then, Shinobu has really expanded the fitness offerings. Now there’s not just power walking but also yoga, cycling, paddleboard yoga, and fitness classes like HIIT and sunrise yoga in the park. Mom and I have tried a few of them. We’ve done the power walk in California Adventure, sunrise yoga twice, and the Pixar Pier fitness program. We were actually the first to try that one out.

I’m so proud of Mom for always being willing to jump in and try something new. She’s such a sport and never backs down from a challenge. I remember after our first yoga session (which was her first time ever doing yoga), she got inspired to start doing chair yoga. It’s really helped her out, and now she can get in and out of the rides so much easier.

The first yoga class we did was right in front of Space Mountain, but now they do it by the castle. To do yoga with the castle in the background and then take some fun photos afterward, feels so special. If you’re looking for basic exercise, these might not be the classes for you. They’re definitely more about the experience and the unique opportunity to be in the parks before they open. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything.

If you’re interested in trying one of these fitness experiences, you can find more information on the Disneyland website under Tenaya Spa. As far as we know, you don’t need to be a hotel guest to participate. The costs vary depending on the class, with sunrise yoga being the most expensive at $99, but it’s worth it for the personalized photos since you aren’t allowed to take pictures in the park before it opens. Everything is provided, yoga mats, water, snacks, hair ties, and even heat packs when it’s chilly. Most of the classes are suitable for all levels, but some, like the fitness challenge, can be more intense. We highly recommend reading the class descriptions carefully and calling ahead if you’re unsure. The staff wants everyone to succeed and will help you choose the right class for your abilities.

I will always cherish this time with my mom, and I’m so grateful that we can share these experiences together. Every time at Disneyland with my mom is special, but starting the day with sunrise yoga makes it unforgettable.

Mom's Perspective:

I am so thankful to be able to do all these experiences with my daughter. I’m glad she encourages me to try classes that I wouldn’t venture into on my own. I loved the yoga by Space Mountain, a great area in the park to see with no one around since it’s usually packed. I had never done yoga before, and I have great respect for those who practice it daily. We also did the fitness challenge, which gave us something to laugh at later since it was definitely a challenge for me!

One of my favorite things about these early morning classes is seeing the park in a way that most guests never do. It’s not serene like you might imagine, it’s actually kind of fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes work happening. You might catch glimpses of cleaning crews, maintenance vehicles, and staff getting everything ready for the day. It’s a unique look at Disneyland that makes me appreciate the magic even more.

I highly recommend the walk through the California Adventure park. It’s at a fast but doable pace, and seeing the park empty is worth it. Next time, I’d like to try the paddleboard yoga, not because I’d be great at it, but because I know it would give us plenty of laughs. When I’m not at Disney, I walk every day at least five miles,

because I want to enjoy these amazing adventures with my daughter and grandsons for many years to come!