The announcement of Disney’s plans to develop residential communities hit Disney fans last week, and we cannot stop talking about it! A lot has yet to be revealed, because it’s Disney and no one knows how to fill their audience with anticipation like The Walt Disney World Company. Here’s the magic that has been unleashed so far!
We all have left a Disney park at least once thinking, “I wish I could just live here.” As Disney Vacation Club members, no one gets this more than us. Well, Disney has heard our sighs and cries from the parking lot as we have driven away from parks and is now saying, “we can make that happen.”
While the residential communities will not have rides or attractions, we can rest assured that the Disney touch will be everywhere the eye can see. Disney not only wants to create stories for you, but to help YOU create your own story. Disney has imagined an environment that will assure that the book of your life is left with every page and chapter detailed with vibrant stories and full of color. They will set the scene to spark your curiosity through learning and fostering new friendships in the Storyliving Communities. Disney said the inspirational word behind the Storyliving mission is: togetherness.
With the help of Disney Castmember’s, fun and Disney Magic will come to life; cooking classes, water activities, art and entertainment experiences are just the start of Disney’s mission for cultural togetherness.
So where’s the first one going to be?
Welcome to your new address: Cotino
Cotino, the first housing development in Rancho Mirage, California, is hidden in the lustrous valleys of the Palm Springs desert. The 618-acre land near the Sunnylands was selected in honor of the man behind the mouse, Walt Disney. Walt had a special and personal connection with the West, and would often escape to the Coachella Valley to spark his imagination. It makes sense that the WDW company is honoring him by developing here first. The development called Section 31 is led by Scottsdale, Arizona- based DMB development. The specific plan now includes commercial buildings, 1,700 homes, about 400 hotel rooms and a 24-acre swimmable lagoon ( which is open for all Disney lovers.) The lagoons will use Crystal Lagoon technically which will minimize water, energy, and chemical consumption.
Mayor Ted Weill stated that “this will be the largest project in history of Ranchero Mirage.” The name Cotino stems from the word cotinus, meaning smoke trees. This is another homage to Walt, who owned real estate at the Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs. He sold these homes to help fund Disneyland, and then purchased another home there for his wife Lillian, after the park became profitable.
Cotino has been developed for Disney fans everywhere and will include at least one section for Disney lovers 55 and older. Once homeowners have moved into their home of choice of either an estate, condominium, or single-family home, they will have the option to purchase Club membership. Cotino Club Membership will give the homeowners full access to a waterfront clubhouse, a members only beach area, and Disney programming full of magic.
*prices and plans for Storyliving have yet to be announced.
We should never be shocked at what Disney dreams up, still we are in awe as they have made yet another one of our dreams come true. Not only are we lucky enough to grow up with Disney, now we have the option to have our families grow up IN Disney. This is truly a wish granted for Disney fans of all ages… like my nana always says, “You never outgrow Disney.”
We, at Disney Vacation Club believe that too.
