Families, Kids Don’t Appear Priority at Disney’s New Planned Community

Disney Theme Parks are known the world over as a place for the young and young at heart. Walt Disney Imagineering brings the magic to life by creating experiences focused on families with kids. But while the Disney name continues to be associated with family, it is also associated with luxury. And in this age of “Disney Adults,” certain updates from the Imagineers seem to signal that their focus is beginning to shift, especially regarding its development of the ambitious planned community Cotino.

Set to be built in Rancho Mirage in the Greater Palm Springs Area of Southern California, Cotino will be the first of a series of communities created by Storyliving by Disney. But while it advertises a Disney lifestyle, the latest update on amenities is focused purely on the adult population.

On Friday, March 24, Disney shared information on the resident-exclusive Artisan Club and the amenities it will offer, and that include the following:

“Parr House—a “super” fun multifunctional venue and unique event space, inspired by the home of the heroic Parr family as featured in the Disney and Pixar film, Incredibles 2, and brought to life by Disney Imagineers and artists from Pixar.” and “A beachfront clubhouse with a fitness center, pool, pickleball court, restaurant and more.”

But as I peruse the Storyliving by Disney website, I see the word family only mentioned twice: once referring to the “single-family” homes available and the description of the Town Center which mentions visiting family and friends. There are some pictures of kids with older family members, but all of the latest concept art that shows the waterfront clubhouse and other unique amenities frames children as an afterthought. The website does make clear, though, that there will be a specifically 55+ neighborhood.

This speculation follows an ongoing debate among Disney fans several years strong that pits families with small children and childless “Disney Adults” at odds competing for the full attention of the Theme Parks and magic makers.

While the opening of Cotino is still far away, what is becoming clear is that the folks at Disney are not focused on using “a great place to raise a family” as a selling point.

First dreamed as the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, Storyliving by Disney brings Walt’s dream of a planned community to life, building on the success of the Golden Oak community build at Disney World.