Soon you can live in the happiest place on Earth. The Walt Disney Company is building its first ever planned community called Cotino. The new Storyliving by Disney Cotino community will be located in Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs, California.
This new neighborhood is quite exclusive since the most basic homes start in the “upper $1 millions.” However, considering the current housing prices around the state of California, that starting price sadly isn’t too out of the ordinary. While the Cotino homes may carry a higher price tag, Storyliving by Disney promises “home features and finishes that meet Disney standards of excellence” for all home buyers.
The expectation for a planned community from Disney would be something colorful and Mickey Mouse-themed. However, this new community will only feature a few small touches from famous Disney characters. The Cotino neighborhood is going in a decidedly different direction.
Walt Disney famously loved escaping to the desert, and Storyliving by Disney is keeping his love of the arid landscape in mind with all the designs. The company is taking inspiration from the desert for the community’s aesthetic. This inspiration plus the mid-century modern architecture commonly seen in Palm Springs forms the basis for the home designs advertised on their website.
The only structure in Cotino that is a bit more “Disney-inspired” is the Parr House. It’s a multi-use space inspired by the home of the famous superhero Parr family in the beloved animated Disney movie, Incredibles 2. The house will be used for special events and celebrations with limited overnight accommodations.
The Cotino community is planned to have around 1,900 homes in total. Sales for the community started in early 2024, and the first 300 homes are already under construction. The first model home should be complete and open to the public by this fall, and the first new Cotino residents are expected to move in by early 2025.
You can read more about the Cotino community on the Storyliving by Disney website.