Storyliving by Disney has shared more details about Asteria, the community in development in Pittsboro, North Carolina. The neighborhood, designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, will boast more than 4,000 homes. The first homes are expected to hit the market in 2027.
When it opens, Asteria will be the second Storyliving by Disney community in the United States. The first of thousands of homes in Cotino, a community in Rancho Mirage, California, went on the market in 2025, and construction continues on the rest of the 1,900-home development that broke ground in 2022. Around 500 homes have sold there.
More on New Storyliving by Disney Community
The tiny town of Pittsboro, North Carolina, and its under 5,000 residents are about to experience a major shift. The community, which is not far from Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, will soon be home to more than 4,000 homes designed by The Walt Disney Company.
The community’s name, Asteria, is a reference to the North Carolina state flower, the aster. The aster flower was originally named after the Greek goddess Astria, who in mythology sprouted the first aster when her tears of stardust fell to Earth.
“We thought it was a beautiful way to honor North Carolina’s natural beauty from the Earth to the sky,” a representative for Walt Disney Imagineering said last year.
In April, Storyliving by Disney shared more about its plans for the Asteria community in an interview with independent journalist Scott Gustin, who shared details about the conversation on his Substack.
North Carolina Community Coming Soon
Claire Bilby, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Signature Experiences Emerging Businesses, told Gustin that it is focusing more on multigenerational/primary/year-round living for the Pittsboro community, whereas the Rancho Mirage neighborhood is more popular with families looking for vacation homes. Asteria, located in the Chatham Park area of Pittsboro, comprises roughly 8,500 acres of land, giving Disney much more freedom to build than it had with Cotino.
“Cotino made sense because of its connection to Walt Disney and the creative history of that area. We leaned into creativity there. And we do have full-time residents at Cotino, but it’s not the majority,” Bibly said. “Here in Pittsboro, North Carolina, it’s a very different story. The landscape is beautiful, and there’s tremendous growth, especially around the Raleigh area. Storyliving is about multigenerational living, so this is a place where grandparents, parents, and children can all live close together.”
The neighborhood clubhouse, Lost Key Cottage, will be a first-of-its-kind five-bedroom storybook home inspired by Peter Pan (1953). Like the Parr House clubhouse in Cotino, Lost Key Cottage will be available for Asteria residents to use for overnight stays, special gatherings, and hosted events for residents.
The main clubhouse, known as the Second Star Club, is designed with Peter Pan in mind, with additional elements inpired by Bambi (1942), Alice in Wonderland (1951), and Beauty and the Beast (1991). It will include the surrounding Aster Green lawn space, a restaurant called Marquet Hall, built-in games and activities, a wellness center, the Piedmont Proper event pavilion, The Studios creative spaces, and a 55+ space called Longtable Lodge.
Bilby emphasized that Storyliving by Disney took great paints to ensure that Asteria did not feel like a theme park. Instead, the company is focusing on thoughtful designs from Walt Disney Imagineers, Disney-level service from cast members, and “uniquely Disney” experiences for residents, like National Geographic tours or talks with representives from the Disney Archives.
“The biggest feedback we heard was: ‘I don’t want to live in a theme park or resort year-round. This is my home,’” she explained. “People want what Disney represents, not a constant theme park environment. We define this as a unique Disney experience. First, there’s place-making by Walt Disney Imagineering, blending regional identity with Disney storytelling. Second, there’s Disney-level service delivered by cast members operating the amenities. And third, there are experiences only Disney can offer.”
“The programming will evolve based on what residents want,” Bilby continued. “It will never be a theme park, but it will have those Disney touches. And as the community grows, we can expand offerings, whether that’s curated travel, cruises, or Adventures by Disney. Ultimately, we stay flexible and respond to what residents are interested in.”
One difference between Cotino and Asteria is that at Cotino, membership in the community club is optional. Asteria residents will be required to be members, so everyone will have access to the amenities and experiences that the neighborhood offers.
When to Buy
The first homes in Asteria are expected to hit the market in 2027, with move-ins scheduled for 2028. The first round of sales will be limited to 300 sites, with the community expected to continue developing for seven-to-ten years. All amenity areas in Asteria are expected to be complete by the time the first homeowners move in.
According to Bilby, early interest is “strong,” and Storyliving by Disney is developing a list of potential buyers. Learn more on the official website or by visiting the dedicated Storyliving by Disney booth at D23 Expo 2026.
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