Have you ever wished you could live at Disney? Now’s your chance. New Disney-designed master-planned residential communities called “Storyliving by Disney” will feature the attention to detail, unique amenities, and special touches fans expect from anything branded with the Disney name.
“For…100 years, Disney has shared stories that have touched the hearts and minds of people all around the world,” said Josh D’Amaro, Disney Experiences chairman. “As we enter our second century, we are developing new and exciting ways to bring the magic of Disney to people wherever they are, expanding storytelling to storyliving. We can’t wait to welcome residents to these beautiful and unique Disney communities where they can live their lives to the fullest.”
The first Storyliving by Disney community, Cotino, is currently under construction (and available for sale) near Palm Springs, Calif. where Walt Disney himself once owned a home, with a second community called Asteria following in North Carolina.
We’ll take a look at both communities below and share how you can help influence where Disney may build after that.
Cotino – A Storyliving by Disney Community
Cotino is being built in Rancho Mirage, Calif. in the heart of the Greater Palm Springs area. Known for its natural beauty and rich culture, the Coachella Valley is the inspiration for Cotino’s architecture and amenities, including community spaces that take advantage of the sunny Southern California desert climate.
The first phase of development (which Disney is calling “the first chapter of the community’s story”) includes more than 300 homes, approximately one-third specifically designated for home buyers aged 55+ (the others are open to residents of all ages).
In addition, Cotino will offer a range of home types and lot sizes with varied “streetscapes” reflecting the region’s desert heritage. Similarly, home designs developed by Walt Disney Imagineering are inspired by the history and landscape of the greater Palm Springs area, including its trademark mid-century modern architecture.
“Disney Imagineers are exploring the richness of [the] local region to inspire the theme of Storyliving by Disney communities,” said Michael Hundgen, Executive Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Distinctively designed indoor and outdoor spaces will offer residents new opportunities to explore, engage, and create the next incredible chapter of their story.”
The Parr House
Leaning way into the mid-century modern aesthetic of nearby Palm Springs, the two-story Parr House (part of Cotino’s Artisan Club) is inspired by the mid-century architecture of the super family’s house in “Incredibles 2.”
According to Disney, Pixar artists visited the Palm Springs area when designing the Parr House for the movie, so it’s only fitting that the real-life house would be built at Cotino.
To bring the house out of the animated “Incredibles” universe and into the real world, Imagineers and builders will highlight “hallmarks” of mid-century modern design, including clean lines, natural light, and functional furniture.
Imagineers are also planning to incorporate “Incredibles” Easter eggs like boxes of Sugar Bombs and Fiber O’s cereal stacked on the kitchen shelf and the family’s schedule scribbled on the Insuricare calendar.
Even the color palette honors the Pixar characters, with touches of red, black, and yellow in the living room and kitchen echoing the family’s iconic super suits, while each bedroom will reflect the style of “Incredibles” characters, including Edna Mode, Lucius Best (aka “Frozone”), and the Parr kids Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack.
Membership in the Artisan Club will be voluntary for Cotino residents, but those who opt in will be able to use the space for events, celebrations, and even stay overnight. The waterfront Artisan Club will also offer dedicated dining, recreation, and programming.
The Artisan Club is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2025.
Cotino Bay
Featuring Crystal Lagoons technology, the man-made Cotino Bay will literally be an oasis in the desert for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water-based activities.
Access to Cotino Bay and its beaches will be available to Cotino residents through a voluntary membership at the Artisan Club. Visitors will be able to purchase Cotino Bay Beach admission in the town center, which is expected to open in 2026.
Cotino Home Collections
In the first phase of development, Cotino will offer three different single-family home collections: The Cottage Collection, built on sites approximately 50 feet wide, the Grand Collection on sites approximately 60 and 70 feet wide, and the Estate Collection on sites approximately 90, 120, and 135 feet wide. All homes within each collection will be detached, single-family dwellings.
The area dedicated to residents aged 55+ is called Longtable Park residences, with the name “Longtable” inspired by Walt’s experiences of sharing breakfast at a large table with friends and neighbors after a morning of activities.
Future phases will include additional single-family home sites and condominiums.
Storyliving by Disney Homebuilders
The Cotino community is being created with DMB, a leading developer of large-scale planned communities; Disney has selected Shea Homes, Davidson Communities, and Woodbridge Pacific Group as the development’s first homebuilders.
“We’re excited to work with talented homebuilders to help us bring Cotino, the first Storyliving by Disney community to life,” said Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Signature Experiences Emerging Businesses. “Together with the developer, we’re creating a vibrant new neighborhood infused with the magic of Disney storytelling and I can’t wait for the community’s future residents to flourish in this very special place.”
Shea Homes – From contributions to iconic construction projects like the Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Shea family legacy is rooted in the history of the American landscape.
Davidson Communities is a private boutique homebuilder that has been building homes since 1978.
Woodbridge Pacific Group brings three decades of integrity, expertise and dedicated customer service to the Cotino community.
The initial sales launch will include a limited inventory from Shea Homes in the Cottage and Grand Collections, along with some homes in the Longtable Park residences for 55+ adults. Additional home sites and builders will be introduced in phases.
Model Homes
Cotino’s first three model homes were built by Shea Homes and showcase different floorplan options, with interior design inspired by Disney stories. The model homes are open every weekend from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Actual homes built may vary. Some features, fixtures, and finishes are options not included in the price of the home, and are subject to availability and additional cost.
The Moderne Home Design: The two-story home features one bedroom on each floor, two full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms. On the ground floor, a large kitchen connects to a dining area and great room leading to a covered outdoor living space; on the second floor, a spacious loft area opens to an expansive, front-facing covered deck. This home design is available exclusively for residents age 55+.
“Drawing inspiration from the wondrous landscapes of Adventureland at Disneyland park, this model home’s interior design features earthy textures with accents that echo the scenery of exotic, adventurous locales.”
The Atelier II Home Design: The one-story floorplan includes two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms with a private front courtyard and covered outdoor living area. This home design is available exclusively for residents age 55+.
“Taking inspiration from classic Disneyland poster artwork from the 1960s and the whimsical style of local Palm Springs artist Shag, the Atelier II model home uses bright colors to infuse the design with a sense of playful sophistication.”
Imagineering-Designed Parks
The centerpiece of the development is Cotino Bay (featuring Crystal Lagoons technology), but residents will also be able to enjoy neighborhood parks designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, including Longtable Park (for residents 55+), which will feature a large “community table” surrounded by palo verde and olive trees, barbecue grills, and shaded seating areas.
Residents of all ages (and their four-legged family members) will be able to access an equestrian-themed dog park featuring separate play areas for small and large pets.
Disney Shopping and Dining, and Activities
If Imagineering-designed homes and parks aren’t enough to entice home buyers, Cotino will also feature unique experiences and activities, including a voluntary Artisan Club membership providing access to the waterfront Cotino Bay clubhouse, exclusive beach areas, and recreational water activities (guests can access Cotino Bay Beach with a day pass).
Cotino will also feature a shopping, dining, and entertainment district a la Downtown Disney, but that’s not all! The surrounding area offers cultural activities such as hiking, tennis, and championship golf courses. Plus, the Palm Springs Air Museum is the current home of Walt Disney’s restored Gulfstream airplane, the Mickey Mouse One (AKA “The Mouse”).
The Story Behind Cotino
While Disney is working with third party developers to actually build Cotino, real Disney Imagineers and artists are actively dreaming up the design of the project. Here’s Imagineer Cathy Ritenour explaining some of the creative processes underway to bring this Storyliving community to life and how she was inspired by Walt Disney’s own city-building dreams.
What Will It Cost To Live at Cotino?
While the desert communities of Rancho Mirage, where Disney’s first Storyliving community is being built, are already pricey by Palm Springs area standards, Cotino will be on the high side of the scale. The smallest homes at Cotino start at 2260 square feet and will be priced in the “Upper $1 millions,” according to Cotino officials. And that’s just for the smallest homes in the “Cottage collection.” Homes in the larger “Grand collection,” which start at 2,780 Square Feet will be priced from the low $2 millions.
But that’s not the full picture. If you want to be a member of that private waterfront Artisan Club, it has an initiation fee of $20,000 and annual dues starting at $11,000. The beach at the Grand Oasis Lagoon will be available to those without a membership with an extra cost day pass.
Asteria – A Storyliving Community by Disney
Located in Pittsboro’s Chatham Park near Raleigh, North Carolina (and named for the Carolina Aster flower), Asteria will feature the same storytelling elements created by Disney Imagineers as Cotino as well as amenities like a clubhouse, wellness center, community garden, and extensive trail system.
“For those on a never-ending quest in search of new knowledge, new experiences and new connections, the Asteria community is envisioned as an oasis for lifelong learners.”
In a partnership between Disney and DMB Development (who is also working on Cotino), Asteria will consist of approximately 4,000 residences, including single-family and multi-family (some designated for homeowners aged 55+).
Sales are expected to begin in 2027.
Now, let’s look at Disney’s first Storyliving community, which is already well underway…
Are You Sold on Storyliving by Disney?
If Cotino sounds like the perfect place to hang up your mouse ears at the end of the day, you’re in luck! Sale appointments to discuss floor plans, home designs, and pricing are available now.
“I am honored that we can bring Cotino to life as the first Storyliving by Disney community in a place that was beloved by Walt Disney himself,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Signature Experiences. “These communities will combine the Disney hallmarks of attention to detail, storytelling and guest service to create a place where residents can live the next chapter in their lives to the fullest. We cannot wait to welcome the first residents in 2024.”
The Cotino Community Sales Studio in Rancho Mirage, Calif. is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. Click HERE for more information and to make an appointment.
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Where Should Disney’s Next Storyliving Community Be Located?
An interactive map at the Storyliving by Disney booth allowed D23 attendees to “vote” on where they want the next community to be built, but you can still vote by scanning the QR code in the photo below.
Let’s Hear From You!
What do you think about Storyliving by Disney? Do the plans feel Disney enough for you? Is an Imagineering-planned community a dream come true, or should Disney stay in its theme park lane? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
