Disney offers new look at Cotino’s planned lagoon, parks and shopping in Rancho Mirage

Editor's note: This story was originally published in September. We are republishing it as we look back at some of our most-read stories of the year.

Cotino — Disney’s first-of-its-kind development in Rancho Mirage that calls for hundreds of homes, a swimmable lagoon and a resort hotel — continues to take shape, with the company releasing new details in September on the first round of homes and parks planned for the 618-acre property.

Cotino is slated to eventually have nearly 2,000 homes on long-vacant land just east of Bob Hope Drive, between Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford drives, and across from the entrance to Sunnylands Center and Gardens. But the initial phase will feature a fraction of that.

The development's first “chapter” — located on the northwestern part of the property — will include more than 300 homes, or about 15% of the total approved for the property, Disney officials said. They did not offer a timeline for completion of the first phase.

About a third of the initial homes will be in a 55-plus community, which features Longtable Park, designed specifically for residents in that community. Disney Signature Experiences said the layout “will promote connectivity with picturesque promenades where residents can spend time together while taking in stunning views.”

“We’re thoughtfully and intentionally bringing elements to the community to encourage camaraderie among neighbors while also using our renowned Disney placemaking to weave the essence and beauty of the Coachella Valley into the fabric of the community,” Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Signature Experiences Emerging Businesses, said in the announcement.

The development has been led by Arizona-based developer DMB Development, and Disney joined as a partner early last year, announcing Cotino as its first Storyliving by Disney community.

“Alongside the developer and builders, we’re creating a special place where residents will have a distinctive lifestyle that can only be found in the Cotino community,” Bilby said.

While a master plan won city approval in 2019, the council has recently approved other pieces of the project, such as a streamlined review process for Cotino’s home designs. Mass grading was completed for its first phase, and street paving was expected to begin afterward.

City and project officials have not offered a timeline for when the first homes will be built, but Disney officials said that pre-sales appointments to discuss floorplans, home designs and pricing were expected to begin in 2023.

What's new?

Disney officials announced that Cotino will feature three different types of properties ranging in size, with the smallest homes planned for parcels roughly 50 feet wide. Others will be on parcels roughly 60 to 70 feet wide, while the largest homes, known as the "Estate Collection," will be on sites from 90 to 135 feet wide.

The 55-plus community, known as the Longtable Park residences, will also have amenities that pay tribute to Walt Disney’s own connection to the Coachella Valley. Residents there will have exclusive access to Longtable Park,” a gathering place designed to foster friendship among neighbors thanks to a large, centerpiece table that will be surrounded by palo verde and olive trees.”

“The name Longtable Park is inspired by Walt Disney and the experiences that originally drew him to the Coachella Valley,” the company's announcement states. “When Walt visited the area, he often enjoyed desert activities in the morning and joined his neighbors for a group breakfast and good conversation around a friendly table.”

A dog park open to all Cotino residents, located near the Cotino Bay lagoon, was also revealed Wednesday. Called “Laughing Place Ranch,” the park is “designed to celebrate Walt’s love for horses with an equestrian-themed dog park featuring separate play areas for small and large pets.”

More details also came to light on Cotino Bay, a 24-acre swimmable lagoon that began construction in July.

Owning a home in the community will not automatically grant someone access to Cotino Bay and its beaches. Instead, a membership with the Artisan Club will be required to access the waterfront amenities, while guests will also have to pay for entry onto the beach. The announcement did not include details on admission pricing.

Cotino Bay will also feature a town center with shops and restaurants on its north end, while an “Incredibles”-inspired clubhouse — a space for special events and celebrations for Artisan Club members — will edge the western side of the lagoon.

Tom Coulter covers the cities of Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Reach him at thomas.coulter@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Disney offers new look at Cotino’s planned parks, shopping and lagoon