The first residents have begun moving into Cotino, the initial Storyliving by Disney community located in California's Coachella Valley. As the development progresses, new details have been released about its exclusive Artisan Club, a membership-based facility set to open later this month, offering a range of dining, wellness, and recreational amenities.
Located on the edge of Cotino Bay, which utilizes Crystal Lagoons technology for its clear water, the club is designed to blend Disney's signature storytelling with the region's well-known mid-century modern architecture. The facilities include themed restaurants, a fitness center, and unique wellness programs managed by a third-party provider.
Key Takeaways
- The Artisan Club, an optional membership facility at the Cotino community, is scheduled to open for members later this month.
- New amenities include two themed dining venues, Architects Fork and Plot Twist, featuring archival Disney artwork and designs.
- A comprehensive wellness center offers a fitness studio, lap pool, tennis courts, and Disney-inspired fitness classes facilitated by Optum.
- The club's design reflects the mid-century modern style of the Coachella Valley, curated by Disney Imagineers.
Club Design and Atmosphere
Disney Imagineers were tasked with creating the aesthetic for the Artisan Club. Their design approach merges the architectural heritage of the greater Palm Springs area with creative elements from Disney's history. The goal was to establish a unique environment for residents who choose to join the club.
Inside the club, members will find a curated collection of art. This includes reproduced archival pieces from the Walt Disney Imagineering archives, featuring work from artists like Mary Blair. The collection also displays concept sketches and technical drawings for iconic park attractions, offering a look into the company's creative process. In addition to historical pieces, the club will feature custom works by local artists from the Coachella Valley.
What is Storyliving by Disney?
Storyliving by Disney is a new business venture focused on developing master-planned residential communities. Cotino, located in Rancho Mirage, is the first of these projects. While Disney provides the brand, vision, and management for the community experience, the homes are constructed and sold by third-party builders, and the development is managed by DMB Development.
New Dining and Social Venues
The Artisan Club will feature two primary dining locations, each with a distinct theme and menu. These venues are designed to be central gathering spots for club members.
Architects Fork Restaurant
Architects Fork is the club's main table-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The interior is decorated to celebrate the history of Disney design and architecture. The walls are lined with artwork and technical documents from various Disney projects.
Notable pieces on display include construction documents for attractions like "it’s a small world" and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Diners can also see a hand-drawn sketch of Sleeping Beauty Castle by Bruce Bushman and a concept mockup of Disney's Contemporary Resort by Ken Chapman. According to Disney, each piece was specifically chosen by Imagineers from their archives.
Plot Twist Beach Bar
Adjacent to the main restaurant is Plot Twist, an outdoor beach bar and lounge area. This venue provides members with a casual space to get beverages and snacks while enjoying views of Cotino Bay. The decor pays tribute to the literary origins of classic Disney films. The backdrop of the bar features sketches and book passages from stories such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the original Cinderella fairytale.
Wellness and Recreation Facilities
A significant portion of the Artisan Club is dedicated to health and wellness. The new facilities provide members with various options for physical activity, from traditional gym workouts to outdoor sports.
The club includes a modern fitness center, a movement studio for classes like Pilates, and a dedicated lap pool. For sports enthusiasts, there are courts for both tennis and pickleball. The location on Cotino Bay also allows for water-based activities like paddleboarding.
"Whether it’s focusing on strength training, finding peace during Pilates, paddleboarding on Cotino Bay, or hitting the court for a friendly match... Artisan Club members can have a variety of fun options to stay active," a company statement explained.
Disney-Themed Fitness Programming
The wellness programming at the club will be managed by Optum, a health services provider. While a broad range of standard classes will be available, the schedule will also include select Disney-inspired fitness experiences. These classes are designed to incorporate storytelling elements into the workouts.
Examples of these themed sessions include:
- Moana Breathwork: A class focused on breathing techniques.
- Encanto-inspired Dance Cardio: A high-energy Latin dance class.
- The Incredibles "Super Circuit": A full-body circuit training workout.
- Villain Power Sculpt: A strength-focused sculpting class.
- Stitch-inspired Paddleboarding: A workout session on the waters of Cotino Bay.
Membership and Community Information
It is important to note that access to the Artisan Club and its amenities is not included with the purchase of a home in Cotino. The club operates on a voluntary, private membership model, which requires the payment of separate dues and fees.
Access to Cotino Bay and its beaches will also require a separate fee and is not guaranteed by homeownership. The developer, ECRM Residential, Limited Partnership, and the builders are independent of Disney. All proposed plans for the community and its amenities are subject to change or cancellation. The continued operation of the club and its association with the Disney brand are not guaranteed.