Disney’s latest venture isn’t a theme park or a movie, but a residential community in North Carolina.
However, the announcement of “Asteria” has left locals with skepticism and curiosity, likening the idea to something out of a dystopian novel.
Settled in Pittsboro, Chatham County — just outside the “Triangle” area of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill — Asteria is the brainchild of Storyliving by Disney, a Walt Disney Company initiative.
It’s the second Disney-themed community in the works in the United States, following the Cotino community in Rancho Mirage, California.
Asteria aims to materialize with the collaboration of Disney’s legendary “Imagineers” and DMB Development.
The project intends to create a “community inspired by Walt Disney’s innate curiosity and passion for learning,” spanning about 1,500 acres.
The envisioned community will feature neighborhood parks, walking trails and biking paths.
Homeowners in Asteria will gain access to an exclusive club with amenities and programs designed to foster learning and connections.
The roster includes a wellness and recreation center, a restaurant, sports courts, swimming pools and a community garden.
To add a touch of Disney, activities and storytelling dinners inspired by brand classics will be part of the community experience.
Named after the state’s aster flower and the Greek goddess Asteria, the community plans to house more than 4,000 residential units, ranging from single-family to multi-family homes.
Some accommodations will cater specifically to adults aged 55 and older. The community is slated for completion by 2027.
However, the reception from North Carolinians has been diverse. Comments on the r/Raleigh subreddit reflect uncertainties about the impact of this Disney endeavor on the existing Pittsboro community.
One Reddit user said, “Not gonna lie I have no idea what to make of this. It sounds interesting but also somehow slightly dystopian at the same time.”
Others echoed similar opinion, with concerns about an influx of “Disney adults” — millennials, oftentimes childless ones, infatuated with Disney culture — heading to Chatham County.
Some compared the idea to a plotline from the show “Succession,” referencing a failed luxury assisted living community in the series.
Those intrigued by the prospect of living in Asteria can sign up for updates from Storyliving by Disney.
Meanwhile, the Cotino community in California is already in progress, with homes expected to range from the upper $1 million to lower $2 million bracket.
Disney isn’t a stranger to crafting idyllic communities. Celebration, Florida, founded by The Walt Disney Company in 1996, aimed to replicate the charm of Disney’s Orlando resort.
However, it was later sold in 2004 to a private investment firm.
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