Disney’s Bold New Vision for Residential Living Is Pure Magic
As the morning sun cast long shadows across the Coachella Valley, I arrived at Cotino—the first-ever Storyliving by Disney community in Rancho Mirage. The energy was electric, and for good reason: this wasn’t just another desert development. This was a bold new chapter in residential living.
Cotino is still under construction, but even in its early stages, it’s clear this isn’t just about real estate—it’s about a lifestyle built around creativity, connection and story. We boarded a bus for a guided tour, cameras ready, eager to get a first peek at what Walt Disney Imagineering and their builder partners have been working on.
Caroline Boone, executive creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, commenced the tour by framing Cotino’s guiding vision:
“It’s a Storyliving by Disney community…and we’re going to give you a first sneak peek.”
With Imagineering directly involved in the conceptualization and execution, every corner of Cotino in Rancho Mirage is infused with intention.
Walking through the site, Boone shared what drove the design philosophy. “What I love about our designs is that it is an inspired timeline of the Coachella Valley.” She explained how the natural environment and midcentury roots of the region helped shape the architectural language of the community. “The reason we picked the Coachella Valley is because Walt was so inspired by the region—it was where he was able to come and relax and find creative inspiration.”
During the tour, we explored homes by three builders: Shea Homes, Davidson Communities and Woodbridge Pacific Group. The largest home we toured belonged to Woodbridge. The space was impressive—absolutely stunning, with a great use of indoor and outdoor flow that made the most of the desert’s dramatic light and clean air.
Bill Davidson walked us through Davidson’s vision for life in Cotino.
“It is about the indoor-outdoor living. It’s about opening all these homes up and being able to be outside 9 or 10 months out of the year.”
That philosophy isn’t just evident in architecture—it runs through the entire community’s design. Cotino is meant to be walkable, welcoming and full of spontaneous moments. Pocket parks and community gathering spaces are planned throughout the neighborhoods, creating an environment that encourages interaction without forcing it.
Still, nothing defines Cotino quite like Cotino Bay. The 24-acre freshwater lagoon sits at the heart of the community, designed for both leisure and lifestyle. It stretches wide and shimmers under the desert sun, with a planned depth that ranges from three feet at the beaches to twelve feet at its deepest point. You can even stand-up paddleboard on it!
“We were told there’ll be passes available for visitors and also special sections for members of the club,” Boone notes. That balance of accessibility and exclusivity reflects Cotino ’s broader goal—to create something that feels alive and inclusive but still elevated.
Beyond the visuals, Cotino Bay is designed to be a catalyst for connection.
“The lagoon is the centerpiece of our community; it’s a place where we hope our residents can connect,” she says.
“It’s also where the lines between the private and shared experience are drawn thoughtfully.”
A short ride away, we stopped at one of the most talked-about sites on the tour: the under-construction Parr House. Part of the community’s Artisan Club and inspired by Disney-Pixar’s “Incredibles 2,” this space will serve as an event space for club members and their guests. Even with scaffolding still up, the home’s midcentury lines and bold silhouette were already visible. Floor-to-ceiling windows, floating rooflines and sharp angles give the structure a cinematic presence. Once completed, it will host everything from private gatherings to creative workshops.
The future town center is another major piece of the Cotino puzzle. While it’s still in the early planning stages, renderings show a vibrant commercial district with shopping, dining, an open-air artist market and more.
The goal is to create a place where residents and visitors can grab a coffee or meet friends for dinner—all within walking distance.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy desert retreat or a forever home, Cotino offers a mix of residences for different life stages. That even includes a planned 55+ neighborhood designed for active adults seeking resort-style amenities and a tight-knit community vibe. But the unifying thread is storytelling. Each home is meant to be a canvas—an extension of the owner’s lifestyle and personality.
Imagine waking up to pink mountain sunrises, walking down shaded pathways and spending afternoons on the sand or water—right outside your front door. That’s the everyday rhythm Cotino is aiming for. It’s not just about amenities; it’s about emotion. It’s about building a life that feels intentional, joyful and connected.
Disney’s Cotino community in Rancho Mirage doesn’t feel like a Disney theme park. And it’s not trying to. Instead, it channels the same core principles—imagination, attention to detail and a deep respect for storytelling—and applies them to real life. You won’t find characters on every corner, but you will find something just as immersive: the chance to live inside a story of your own.
As the tour came to a close, Boone summed it up best:
“There’s so much happening over the next year,” Boone says with a smile, hinting at the evolution still to come.
For those ready to step into something new—something inspired—Cotino isn’t just a development. It’s a destination. And it’s waiting to welcome you home.
Cotino Community
@storylivingbydisney
Erik Hale is the visionary and publisher behind LOCALE Magazine. He launched the magazine in 2010, wanting to give the community of OC a premiere lifestyle magazine that knew all the native knowledge behind OC. “Six years ago Ashley and I sat at a table scratching the name LOCALE (among some other names) onto a sheet of paper,” says Erik, “coming up with story ideas and basically dreaming. Everything we imagined has happened and we have been blessed with so much more. I am so grateful as we start another year for my family, my two wonderful children, my health, our amazing writers, designers and photographers, our advertising partners and you.”
