Disney Is Building a Desert Community With No Mickey Mouse in Sight
The Coachella Valley typically brings to mind hot desert sun, music festivals, and more sun. Not exactly Mickey Mouse territory. But Disney is changing that.
In 2022, Disney announced plans for its first branded residential community, "Storyliving by Disney." The first community, Cotino, is officially welcoming residents into model homes in Rancho Mirage. When finished, the 618-acre development will feature almost 2,000 residential units, including single-family homes and condos.
Residents are already moving into their Disney castles, which went on sale early 2024. Prices start around $1 million for the smallest two-bedroom, two-bathroom "Cottage Collection" homes at about 2,200 square feet.
The three-bed, three-bathroom "Grand Collection" homes run around 3,000 square feet for $2.5 million. The "Estate Collection" goes up to six bedrooms, six bathrooms, nearly 5,000 square feet, for $3.2 million. All homes currently for sale were built by luxury builders Shea Homes, Davidson Communities, or Woodbridge Pacific Group.
It Doesn't Actually Feel Very Disney
A quick look at the model homes and desert-chic design reveals this doesn't feel "Disney" at all. That's the point.
The community is inspired by Walt Disney's love of the region, its natural beauty, and mid-century modern architecture. Not theme parks. Not Mickey Mouse. Just Walt Disney the person who loved Palm Springs.
Carly Caramanna, a travel writer who covers Disney theme parks, recently toured Cotino. Compared to other Disney ventures, she acknowledged this one "is much less in your face Disney." The emphasis is on Walt Disney himself, not the studio.
Palm Springs was basically his happiest place on Earth," she said. "This is where he was happiest, and he loved bringing his family. [Cotino] is distinctly Disney, but it is very much authentically Palm Springs.
No overt nods to Mickey, Minnie, or the rest of the gang in any houses. But there are still opportunities for Disney fanatics to get their fill amid the cacti.
The Disney Touches
One highlight for Disney-obsessed buyers is the Artisan Club, which opened late October. All Cotino residents can join for an additional membership fee.
The membership includes access to a wellness center, outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, two restaurants, and the Parr House—a life-size replica of the home from Incredibles 2.
The Artisan Club also offers exclusive Disney-themed fitness programs: "Incredibles Super Circuit," "Encanto Latin Dance Cardio," "Moana Breathwork," and "Villain Era Power Sculpt: Maleficent Edition."
The Artisan Club sits along Cotino Bay, a 24-acre artificial lagoon using Crystal Lagoons technology. It uses recycled water, minimal chemicals, and sophisticated filtration to lessen environmental impact.
The Senior Living Section
Cotino includes specific houses in the Cottage and Grand Collections designated for adults 55 and above as part of a senior living community called "Longtable Park."
The exclusive park is marketed as an "inspiring retreat" for golden years, based on Walt Disney's own visits to the area—horseback rides and decadent meals shared with friends and family around a large, long table. Hence the name.
What Locals Think
Carl lives across the street in a neighboring gated community with his wife and toddler but is considering moving to Cotino.
"Being able to live somewhere that essentially has a man-made beach here in the desert—in the summer—is an absolutely massive attraction to us," he told the Guardian. A welcome reprieve from summer days topping 115°F.
Carl and his wife have been in Rancho Mirage about a year. They acknowledged Cotino's presence has been polarizing.
"People either hate it or they love it," he said. "I don't really see any negatives. It only increases our home value by being able to say, 'oh, by the way, you can walk to the beach in just a couple miles.'"
Currently, Cotino Bay is only accessible to community residents. The next construction phase will focus on a town center with shopping and dining accessible to the public.
The Bottom Line
Disney built a residential community in the desert inspired by Walt Disney's love of Palm Springs. Almost 2,000 homes ranging from $1 million to $3.2 million. Features include a 24-acre artificial lagoon, an Artisan Club with an Incredibles house replica, and Disney-themed fitness classes.
It doesn't feel like Disney World. No Mickey Mouse anywhere. Just mid-century modern architecture, desert aesthetic, and references to Walt Disney the person who loved the area.
For Disney fanatics with $1-3 million lying around who also love Palm Springs, this might be perfect. For everyone else, it's an interesting experiment in branded residential communities.
Whether people want to live in a Disney-branded development without actual Disney theming remains to be seen. But judging by the homes already sold and residents moving in, apparently some people do.
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