03/11/2026
My wife and I had the opportunity to visit the first Storyliving by Disney community in Palm Springs, CA this past weekend, and it completely changed how I think about Disney’s role in residential living.
At first, I imagined a “Disney-themed” neighborhood filled with Mickey-shaped street signs or bright park-style colors — but it’s nothing like that. The community (called Cotino) is stunning and built around the quality that Disney is known for, not the characters or theme parks.
What stood out most was how deeply Disney is involved in every detail — from the design of each home to the overall community layout. They even hold a controlling interest in the homeowners association to ensure that quality and community values remain long-term priorities.
In Palm Springs, there are four builders working under Disney’s oversight. Every home feels modern, elegant, and authentic to its environment — even incorporating water features that tie into the desert setting. At the heart of the community is a beautiful lake with a beach, clubhouse, and restaurant. The surrounding retail area is open to the public but carefully curated to feature only local or regional businesses, not national chains. The residential areas, however, are private and gated.
Pricing in Palm Springs ranged from around $1.3M to $3.2M, but several Disney executives mentioned that the upcoming Asteria Community in Pittsboro, NC is being designed with a goal to keep homes closer to the under-$1M range, which is incredible considering the level of quality and design involved.
If Asteria follows the Cotino model, Pittsboro could soon have one of the most thoughtfully designed and well-managed new communities in the country — one that blends Disney-level attention to detail with the charm and character of central North Carolina.
Really exciting to see what’s coming!
