Disney Breaks Ground on the First Storyliving Community

Disney Storyliving Communities were announced earlier this year as a brand new initiative by the Walt Disney Company that will allow fans to fully immerse themselves in themed Disney experiences by living in exclusive communities. Eventually, multiple communities will pop up around the country, but the first location will launch in Rancho Mirage, California. The latest update on the new communities just took place as ground has broken on the site of the Cotino Disney Storyliving community.

KESQ shared that a small official groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site in the Coachella Valley on April 26 with Disney and local area officials in attendance, and Disney followed up with additional details. Cotino and other Disney Storyliving communities will feature unique amenities designed exclusively for each individual community, with thematically designed spaces, as well as an array of amenities and select neighborhoods limited to residents ages 55 and over.

The first homes in the community that broke ground today are anticipated to reach completion by early 2024, with sales for Cotino beginning next year in 2023.

The communities will also bring Disney’s world-renowned Guest services home for residents around the country as each new location is completed in the years to come. Included under the Guest services umbrella will be club memberships that included access to wellness events, educational seminars, and more. Rancho Mirage is a fitting location for the first Disney Storyliving community as it was once a favorite retreat for Walt and his wife Lillian Disney to spend time during vacations.

The Storyliving concept has been the subject of intrigue from fans, with opinions ranging from concerns over the cost of living in such a community to interest and a desire to learn more about the new neighborhoods. For communities adjacent to the planned site where ground was broken today, concerns have been raised particularly over the water usage and traffic that will be affected by Cotino.

Local communities have also brought up the subject of affordable housing, which will likely be required for everyone working in the jobs that will be created by the first Storyliving community. While Disney has since released plans for affordable housing models near Walt Disney World in Florida, no further information has been released on the infrastructure of Disney Storyliving.

At the city level, local officials are optimistic that the Rancho Mirage Disney Storyliving community will boost the area’s economy by providing jobs and increasing interests for travelers to the area.

Additional locations for Disney Storyliving communities have not yet been announced, but you can stay up to date on Cotino and future projects at StorylivingByDisney.com.