If you love going to a Disney Park, you may soon be able to live in a scaled-down version. Really!
Communities with a touch of Disney magic may be coming to a neighborhood near you. Disney plans to build master-planned "Storyliving" communities, with the first set for Rancho Mirage, California. The site is in the Coachella Valley near where Walt and Lillian Disney owned a home and would often spend time with family.
The company is exploring other possible sites for the communities that will be developed by Disney Imagineers and have an association operated by Disney cast members trained in Disney's guest services. The community will feature single-family homes, condos and one section reserved for residents aged 55 and over.
Some other features include shopping, dining, and Disney entertainment, as well as a crystal-clear lake at the center that even features a beach! Just like a mirage in the desert.
Another advantage of Rancho Mirage: Room to build. Disney’s plans are expansive, at least as they currently stand, with renderings showing tree-lined streets, pools with backyards and ample community recreational areas. It sounds to me like this is the perfect representation of what most foreigners would consider the American dream. Or maybe that's just me? The company’s famed “Imagineers” will have a direct role in crafting the amenities and neighborhood characteristics, but it seems Disney is mainly lending its name and branding to the projects headed up by large developer companies.
Will it be the real deal? Who knows but it does promise a lot. Only time will tell. We will be keeping an eye on this large project for sure.