A new kind of community is taking shape in the California desert—one where the streets are paved with nostalgia and lifestyle branding is baked into every architectural detail. Welcome to Disney Cotino, the first-ever Disney Storyliving neighborhood, where $4 million homes come with lakefront views, Pixar-inspired clubhouses, and the promise of curated magic.
Set in Rancho Mirage, just outside Palm Springs, Disney Cotino is designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, the same minds responsible for crafting immersive theme park environments across the globe. This time, though, the fantasy is not for vacationers—it’s for homeowners.
Disney Cotino’s first residents arrive this spring, marking a milestone in Disney’s latest foray into real estate. At full buildout, the 618-acre development could host 1,700 homes, 400 hotel rooms, and a town center packed with restaurants, retail, and entertainment. But for now, six model homes are drawing high-net buyers with a taste for both luxury and legacy.
Prices start in the upper $1 million for 2,200-square-foot cottages. But the real headline-grabbers are the 7,200-square-foot estates with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and views of the 24-acre man-made Disney Cotino Bay—these start just north of $4 million.
Disney won’t be building or selling the homes itself. That role belongs to Scottsdale-based DMB Development, in partnership with builders like Shea Homes, Davidson Communities, and Woodbridge Pacific Group. What Disney is selling is something harder to quantify: the brand experience of living in a narrative-driven, community-first neighborhood.
At the heart of Disney Cotino lies the Artisan Club, a private, members-only retreat that mirrors the exclusivity of Disneyland’s famed Club 33. The initiation fee? $20,000. Annual dues? Between $11,000 and $19,000, depending on your level of access. For that price, members receive more than access—they step into a curated world.
Perks include a beach along Disney Cotino Bay, wellness centers, a Disney-chef-run restaurant called Architects Fork, and a creative studio for hands-on workshops. There is also a Pixar-themed special events venue known as the Parr House, inspired by the cliffside mansion in The Incredibles 2. With floor-to-ceiling windows, a dramatic rock fireplace, and even a boardroom, it’s rentable for private events or limited overnight stays.
Membership is not just for residents—anyone can apply. But early buyers who close before June 30 get their initiation fees waived (a $30,000 value) plus a $2,500 food and beverage credit.
For Disney Cotino represents more than a luxury development—it’s a proof of concept. Storyliving is a bet that affluent buyers will pay a premium for a neighborhood that feels like a brand experience.
The company is already planning its next Storyliving site, Asteria, near Raleigh, North Carolina. More are expected. Each community is expected to offer local flair, but the through line is the same: curated entertainment, hospitality-grade amenities, and Disney-trained staff managing the day-to-day.
Unlike earlier experiments—like the Celebration community in Florida or Golden Oak near Disney World—Cotino emphasizes lifestyle curation over proximity to a theme park. There are no rides or characters here. Instead, residents get seasonal festivals, speaker series, creative classes, and even Disney-organized trips and excursions. Think less theme park, and more cultural calendar.
The architecture blends mid-century modern with desert minimalism, a nod to Palm Springs’s heritage and the tastes of modern buyers. Public spaces like Little Desert Park and Longtable Park aim to balance family-friendly appeal with adult-oriented leisure. Even the dog park is equestrian-themed!
The neighborhood is zoned for mixed-use, and the forthcoming Disney Cotino Town Center, scheduled to open next year, promises retail and dining options at the northeast end of the lake. Later phases may include condominiums and a beachfront hotel, expanding the market without diluting exclusivity.
And in true Disney fashion, there is a backstory. Walt and Lillian Disney once owned a vacation home in Palm Springs, which he called his “laughing place.” Disney Cotino plays off that heritage, subtly infusing legacy into its branding.
There is no shortage of luxury developments in California. But few can claim the kind of built-in cultural capital that Disney brings. For some buyers, that is the real draw—not just real estate, but residential storytelling.
Will Storyliving communities become the next wave in branded placemaking? That depends on how well Disney Cotino ages. Will it become a vibrant, evolving neighborhood—or a desert showroom with a half-life? That’s yet to be determined.
For now, the buyers are coming. And with every $4 million closing, Disney’s experiment in lifestyle design looks less like fantasy and more like a smart strategy.
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