Disney's Desert Oasis Takes Shape in Cotino, California

Walt Disney's love for Palm Springs, California is well-documented. The media mogul often escaped to Smoke Tree Ranch, where he owned two homes and spent time with neighbors gathering for square dancing and live music. According to Caroline Boone, Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Creative Director, this desert retreat was the perfect place for Disney to 'rest and recharge'. When Storyliving by Disney began scouting locations for its first housing development, they chose Palm Desert, about 95 miles southeast of Disneyland.

The result is Cotino, a 619-acre community with 1,932 single-family homes and condos. The community features a mix of private courtyards, spacious leisure areas, and expansive windows that evoke the relaxed Palm Springs mood. While storytelling is woven throughout the community, it's not overtly Disney-themed.

The first cohort of residents has already begun moving into Cotino, with home prices starting at over $1 million. Residents can join the Artisan Club, which comes with amenities like a restaurant, clubhouse, gym, and Disney-themed workout classes. The club is managed by Disney cast members and features a unique approach to design and storytelling.

The community's centerpiece is the Parr House, a midcentury modern-inspired clubhouse inspired by the Parr family home in Incredibles 2. Imagineers and Pixar artists collaborated to translate the animated home into an authentic architectural space reflective of Palm Springs' iconic design.