I’ve always said that a RunDisney event is about more than just running; from the extravagant expo, the characters, the pre-race entertainment, and the on-course cheer stations there’s a lot happening that can attract runners of all experience levels to lace up their shoes and head out with thousands of others for an energy-packed morning.
This blog tells the tale of the other side of a RunDisney weekend, the story of a relaxing and rejuvenating event – early morning yoga in a Walt Disney World theme park! As part of the 2024 Springtime Surprise race weekend, I participated in the Early Morning Yoga, and I have to say it was a phenomenal experience!
For the 2025 Princess Half-Marathon weekend, yoga is offered on the Monday morning after the races are complete, while in comparison the 2025 Springtime Surprise Weekend has yoga on the Thursday morning before the running begins. So, whether it be a way to prepare for the weekend or recover after running those magical miles, the experience is one that I recommend.
This separate ticketed event is priced at $122 for the 2025 events and can be purchased by anyone; you do not have to run in one of the races to be eligible to buy this ticket. So, if you’re traveling with family or friends who don’t want to run, each of you can buy tickets to this event and experience it together.
As I never miss an opportunity to bound, I decided to do an Elsa inspired yoga bound.
Ice Queen - Bound Details:
- White hoodie
- White tank top
- Pale blue yoga pants with a snowflake print
Paired with the accessories from our Ice Queen Bounding Box
- 2 Snowflake Hair Clips
- Snowflake Bangle
- Snowflake patterned Scarf &
- Snowflake Ring
Like all other RunDisney events, free transportation for the event is available to and from your resort - look for the signs leading you to the pick-up spots. There are also signs in the lobby with the details, or you could speak with a Cast Member at the front desk if you have any questions.
Arriving at Disney’s Hollywood Studios before sunrise and seeing Hollywood Boulevard covered in yoga mats was beautiful. Cast Members walked the crowd down the road in an orderly fashion and allowed you to pick any available mat in the area to be yours.
As it wouldn’t be Disney without characters, we were greeted on our way to the mats by characters waving at us in the park. They also came on the main stage after the instructional yoga class was done.
Bonus: you get to keep the RunDisney yoga mat after the class. It rolls up and easily fits within a large suitcase if you fly home after your Walt Disney World trip.
Now, if you’re like me and worried that your yoga experience is not up to par with the participants around you, you have nothing to fear. Once we selected our mats, there was time to chat with the people around us before the class began and my worries vanished as I listened to how supportive and encouraging the fellow participants were. We talked about their previous RunDisney races, other running events, and all things Disney, and by the time the instructors walked onstage, it felt like friends surrounded me – the energy in the air was supportive and encouraging, not judgemental or negative.
There were numerous small stages throughout the street (not just at the very front) so that no matter where you were located, you’d have an easy view to see the moves being demonstrated.
Near the end of the one-hour session, we had a few moments of lying on mats, looking up at the sky, and reflecting on our thoughts. I was in awe as I looked up at the sky and heard how silent the park was. A place that, in only a few hours, would open to the public and buzz with people was currently so quiet; it felt magical to me. We were also treated to a surprise; Cast Members had arranged for us to have an early morning viewing of Disney Movie Magic – where projections lit up the walls of the façade of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and fireworks sent bursts of color into the sky. As I looked around at my fellow participants, and each of us had smiles on our faces - it was a rare opportunity that felt exclusive, and once again, I felt like there was magic in the air.
During this 2025 Walt Disney World RunDisney season, if you’re looking to be surrounded by magic, I highly suggest taking off those running shoes, stretching out on a mat, and trying your best Warrior II pose at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – it’s a morning unlike any other that I’ve experienced at WDW, and I LOVED it!
~Kelly