Disney is opening their doors to the public to view their newly constructed model homes in the Coachella Valley as part of their Storyliving by Disney project.
The first community to be built, Cotino features three model homes completed at Blue Oasis Drive and Purple Iris Way streets by Shea Homes, Newsweek reported.
The exhibition homes are living styles known as the Oasis, Agrarian and Aspiron collection.
Within the Disney community, there are other amenities expected to open in 2025, including Cotino Bay, the parks and the boardwalk.
Cotino is a 618-acre residential community with 1,900 residential units, including single-family homes and condominiums in Southern California’s Rancho Mirage, where diehards can live out their fantasy of staying in a Disney community.
Disney opens their doors to the public to view their newly constructed model homes in the Coachella Valley as part of their Storyliving by Disney project
The Cotino community has three model homes completed at Blue Oasis Drive and Purple Iris Way streets by Shea Homes
The exhibition homes are living styles known as the Oasis, Agrarian and Aspiron collection
The home in the Oasis Collection is a 2,275-square-foot, one-story, two-bedroom home.
The agricultural gathering house is a two-story, 2,820-square-foot building. Both the Oasis and Agrarian display homes are located in Longtable Park – a 55 and older community.
The Aspiron Collection home is a single-story home measuring 2,925 square feet and features a backyard pool, just like the others.
But the House of Mouse isn’t selling these Disney fantasy houses cheaply.
While it has not yet been confirmed how many homes have been sold, it is expected that the homes will sell for at least $1 million.
As residents move closer to the constructed Crystal Lagoon waters of Cotino Bay, these numbers are expected to top $2 million.
Compared to the majority of properties listed on Zillow in the area with approximately the same square footage they are thousands of dollars more expensive.
There is also voluntary membership of the Artisan Club that residents can sign up for.
On Disney’s Story Living website, they describe that membership in the Artisan Club “requires the payment of dues and fees and is subject to terms and conditions.”
While it has not yet been confirmed how many homes have already been sold, it is expected that the homes will sell for at least $1 million.
As residents move closer to the constructed Crystal Lagoon waters of Cotino Bay, these numbers are expected to top $2 million. IMAGES: Real estate agent and business owner Leo Bato tours the Cotino residential development
Compared to most homes listed on Zillow in the area that have about the same square footage, they are thousands of dollars more expensive. PHOTO: from left to right Ganesh Bharwani, Lourdes Capulong and Leo Bato
But access to this membership means residents can visit the Architect’s Fork restaurant, the Plot Twist outdoor waterfront bar, a wellness and outdoor sports field and a creative studio.
Cotino Bay is a 24 hectare lagoon located on the company’s territory website such as the clearest turquoise water with the technology of the Crystal Lagoon company. Even though the community is located in the desert, the lagoon company is able to build huge bodies of water inland.
The bay has a sandy beach, water sports facilities and a promenade.
A dining and shopping area would be open to the public, as would the beach, but non-residents would have to purchase a day pass to access the shore, Newsweek reported.
The Cotino community will have 1,932 planned homes spread over more than 600 hectares of desert land.
But not everyone is happy with Storyliving by Disney’s plans to build a community here.
There is also voluntary membership of the Artisan Club that residents can sign up for. On the Storyliving by Disney website, they outline that Artisan Club membership “requires the payment of dues and fees and is subject to terms and conditions.”
A dining and shopping area would be open to the public, as would the beach, but non-residents would have to purchase a day pass to access the shore, Newsweek reported.
Residents are outraged by Disney’s plans to build the Cotino community in their peaceful patch of desert.
One local resident, Carol Tiffin, said she worried the development would turn the Coachella Valley area into a “new Las Vegas.”
“I live near Gerald Ford and am concerned about traffic, especially during the winter months when all the snowbirds are in town,” she wrote online.
Tiffin was also not happy with the construction of Cotino Bay, fearing that water would be wasted.
The problem is compounded by the fact that residents have faced water use restrictions in recent years amid major dry spells.
When details about the lagoon emerged in 2022, local Mark Wolpa pointed out that the region was under “severe restrictions.”
He told the Los Angeles Times: “Everyone was clearing out their yards and replacing them with artificial grass. And in the meantime I’m starting to see signs of a huge lagoon.’
Although restrictions have since been lifted thanks to heavy rainfall last year, Wolpa added that the lagoon is a waste.