17 Aug 2021
Disneyland's new spa features precious stone gifted by Californian Miwok Tribe Elder
BY Megan Whitby
Disney’s Imagineers have created a brand new boutique retreat named Tenaya Stone Spa, opening 16 September 2021, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
Tenaya Stone Spa is a 6,000sq ft facility inspired by the spirit of nature, indigenous cultures of California and the Craftsman design of the existing hotel.
“The name Tenaya can be interpreted ‘to dream’ in the indigenous culture of the Yosemite Valley,” said Dawn Jackson, a Native American cultural advisor within Disney, who began working on the project as an Imagineer on the Story Development team.
“For modern-day travellers seeking a respite to dream and recharge, the spa provides an opportunity to relax into a dream-like state, a reverie of being lost in one’s thoughts, regaining balance within themselves,” she added.
The spa is laid out according to the four directions of north, south, east, and west, and aligned with the four colours of white, red, black and yellow.
Guests will notice several special touches such as wood flooring cut in rounds, a chandelier designed from a tree root, stained-glass doors and windows, rocks and minerals and art pieces crafted by regional artisans.
The spa features eight treatment rooms – including two for couples’ massage – four manicure/pedicure chairs, a relaxation lounge, male and female changing rooms and a retail boutique.
Within the spa, guests will discover a Tenaya Stone, a focal point and a place to pause and set intentions.
The stone was a gift from a Miwok Elder and her family who are descendants of Chief Tenaya in Yosemite Valley. With blessings, the stone now resides at the heart of the spa, offering inspiration to all visitors with its peaceful energy.
This intimate nature-themed arbour then leads to a sunlit relaxation room with a stained-glass window of a rising sun and a trickling water feature.
“In developing the spa, we aspired to create a fresh take on the principles of the Arts & Crafts movement by honouring nature. We drew inspiration from the foundation of the hotel, literally in the stones, the earth, and the trees, and figuratively in the promise of a place to relax and to dream,” said Katrina Mosher, art director, Walt Disney Imagineering.
Inspired by the spirit of nature and California heritage, the spa will be a rejuvenating haven where guests can choose from an array of body treatments, massages and salon services.
The spa menu will include an array of seven soothing massages, hair and nail services, foot treatments and body treatments powered by aromatic herbs and botanicals.
Facials and make-up applications will be offered at Tenaya Stone Spa at a later date.
The spa is nestled in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and advance reservations are now available for Disneyland Resort hotel guests. The spa will be open for non-hotel guests at a later date.
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