Lagoon Filling At Disney's Cotino In Rancho Mirage: What's Next?

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA—Storyliving by Disney's Cotino in Rancho Mirage, situated off I-1o in the Coachella Valley and designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, is making progress toward its opening, officials say.

This week, the new development celebrated the progress of the new 24-acre man-made crystal lagoon, which is starting to fill and promises future access to Coachella Valley guests and Cotino property owners.

The Lagoon is being filled with recycled water, with minimal chemical additives and a sophisticated filtration system, according to Crystal Lagoons, who developed the technology. It uses less water than the average golf course to maintain that crystal-clear tropical vibe, a spokesperson aid.

Cotino has also opened its model homes, with three separate builders offering multiple properties that are fully designed and dreamy to look at.

The sales studio is open at 10 Danube Drive in Rancho Mirage, and are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

The lagoon, the Cotino Artisan Club, and the Parr House, inspired by the Disney Pixar Incredibles franchise, are taking shape with a vibe consistent with the Palm Springs area.

Claire Bilby, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Emerging Businesses for Disney, shared the project's progress this week.

"They'll have private beaches, they'll have kayaks, they'll have paddle boats, then when we open town center, we will have a public beach," she said. "That will be where the public will be able to purchase a ticket to use the public beach area if they so choose."

The nearby Cotino town center will bring shopping and dining for those who visit Cotino Bay, including hints of a new hotel (not a Disney hotel, as was clarified).

Price points for those tickets were not yet available.

The 618-acre community has plans for 1,932 residential units, all thus far leaning mid-century modern in design.

Phase One, where the project currently sits, includes more than 300 homes —including some designated for 55+ adults in an area known as Longtable Park— and a collection of community parks.

The first home prices range from upper $1 million, with the Villa Estates starting around $4 million.

Each model home is designed with the same Imagineering style seen elsewhere in the community.

Shea Homes, Davidson Communities, and Woodbridge Pacific Group were named the first homebuilders, with model home properties becoming available for touring.

Davidson Communities has two elevations, the Canvas and the Cielo II.

The Woodbridge Pacific Group offers Westwind II, which features a guest suite and was built for outdoor living.

The Artisan Club will also open during Phase One, where residents can enjoy an array of amenities and "special experiences infused with Disney touches and legendary service."

The Artisan Club will include a restaurant, pool, sports courts, pickleball courts, fitness studio, private beaches, and a waterfront bar on Cotino Bay. That membership comes with a cost: a one-time initiation fee of $20,000 plus annual dues of either $11,000 or $19,000, depending on membership level. Each membership comes with 10 complimentary guest passes per year.

"The club will also be home to the one-of-a-kind Parr House. Inspired by the Parr family home in Pixar’s “Incredibles 2,” the multi-functional space will host club events and celebrations for members and their guests. (The space will be open for weddings, parties, family reunions, etc., but is not currently planned to be a part of Disney Fairy Tale weddings, a spokesperson clarified.)

Members of the future Artisan Club can experience dinners inspired by classic Disney tales, lessons with Disney artists, or family fun days with Disney-themed activities are being considered. The Artisan Club will also include health and wellness programming.

That club is expected to open in phases beginning in 2025.

Again, this is an added voluntary benefit not included in purchasing a Cotino residence, they said.

Additional locations in the United States are currently under exploration, including the new Asteria, a community planned for North Carolina, just outside of the Raleigh area, available for sale in 2027.

"The story is about the residents and the community," said Thomas Mazloum, President of New Experience Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences. "It isn't just about our programming, which will be spectacular, but it's about our residents writing their own story."

Visit www.storylivingbydisney.com for more information.