Not a mere 24 hours following its metaverse executive promotion, Disney now vies to bring as much ingenuity to the real world as it will in its inevitable virtual offshoot. Announced via a blog post and YouTube promotional video on Wednesday, Feb. 16th, Disney has unveiled plans to market and develop a fully thriving neighborhood made all the more splendid through its myriad IP.
Coined "Storyliving by Disney," this new business venture will see the company building out from its theme parks division a whole new realm of wonder and imagination in the form of "vibrant new neighborhoods that are infused with the Company's special brand of magic," reads Disney's official blog.
The announcement officially marks Rancho Mirage, California, as the first Disney Storyliving location, citing it as a place held dear to Walt Disney himself. This first Disneyfied neighborhood will be called Cotino and feature roughly 2,000 housing units for a variety of use cases, such as condos, estates, single-family homes, as well as entertainment venues, restaurants, a hotel, elderly lounge area, beach community, and the much-needed Disney store shopping center.
Disney also noted that more US-based locations would be made available, leading well into the future as overall development on the project proceeds. As of writing, Disney Storyliving cost considerations have not been accurately detailed, but given the immense development process and ambition of the project, it will certainly be a hefty price tag, but worth it for those invested in the brand.
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Disney's official blog post ensures that for those who do decide on moving into its Storyliving residential experience, the entire life's stay will be akin to a Disneyland or Disney World trip made manifest as an unending excursion. But the verbiage even proves that it isn't so much about the IP and branding under Disney as much as it is about genuinely enhancing modern living conditions.
The blog post reads:
"These master-planned communities are intended to inspire residents to foster new friendships, pursue their interests and write the next exciting chapter in their lives-all while enjoying the attention to detail, unique amenities and special touches that are Disney hallmarks."
While on the surface, the idea may sound genuinely original, as Disney certainly expects with its PR, this isn't the first community IP project conceived by the company. Epcot itself derives from the mind of Walt Disney, who wanted to develop a literal utopia yet was never fully realized. Its inspiration would later birth the Disneylands and Disney Worlds we have come to know and love to this day, but a full residential Disney community was there.
The idea would finally become a reality in 1996, when Disney's Celebration, Florida, first opened its doors. The project was a fully sustainable community erected not far from Walt Disney World Resort. Yet another Florida-based resort community concept was designed in 2011, the Golden Oak resort, which still thrives to this day, yet is nothing quite like what Disney has in store for its Storyliving project.
Disney's Storyliving boasts a "24-acre grand oasis," which will feature various environmental-assisted implementations, specifically low water consumption and as limited an energy output as is necessary. Storyliving will also have membership options for various club-only areas, such as a member's only beach, activities, entertainment, and more.
USA Today highlights that Disney won't be actually owning, building, or selling said homes but will be partnering alongside DMB Development specifically for Cotino, as well as other third-party developers for future US residential plots. Disney Imagineers will be aiding in the chic, theme, and vibrancy of the developments to ensure Storyliving is "distinctively designed," so says executive producer Michael Hundgen.
Those interested can sign up today for Disney Storyliving updates pertaining to everything from eventual opening ceremonies, construction completion, and pricing details.
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