You knew this post was coming you PI hopefuls, but for those wondering it will be a bit different then the post I did for the DCP. Firstly, I want to say for anyone who did a PI prior to 2013 Falcon Square is the new housing facility not Cumberland Park. Secondly, Falcon Square is not just a PI complex it is also open to regular renters. Thirdly, this only pertains to Florida PI hopefuls.
Important Information!
(Yes I want to do this now, so no one waste time reading this if they do not need to)
Falcon Square is only available for PIs in Florida (MIs need to live off property- no exceptions)
California PIs, New York PIs, and Connecticut PIs do not have housing at all
No, you do not need to live in housing if you do not want to
Keep in mind sometimes it is cheaper to live off property
Also consider living off property if you plan on staying after your PI
Moving on now! Yes, much like the DCP for any of you Alumni you will be welcomed back to housing with the Wonderful World of Dorms!
DORMS (Disney Onsite Residents Management System) aka their housing site that participants need to fill out prior to their start date.
What is in DORMS?
Unlike the DCP there is no complex picking you only get one option
Roommate choices
Unit Size
Does the PI have a housing fee?
Yes, it is about $250 the PI has a housing fee much like the DCP this fee is only if you live in housing however. As a side note there is also an optional fee that anyone can pay to attend DCP events if you really wanted to.
How is rent paid?
Again this is very similar to the DCP for anyone who has done one, but if not it is taken out of your weekly paycheck.
Can I live in Falcon Square without living in PI housing?
This tends to be a popular question I want to address the short answer is –yes. Now, I want to make this clear since there is some confusion on this. You can live in Falcon Square since it is open to non-PI residents as well, but if you choose to do so you will be charged their regular rent –not the PI rent.
Am I guaranteed housing at Falcon Square?
No, you are not guaranteed housing at Falcon Square as I said it is open to regular renters as well (although most are cast members) therefore there is limited space available. So, housing at Falcon Square is on a first come, first serve basis –so this is why it is important to let your recruiter know you want housing right away when your offer comes in. I also suggest while going through the process consider alternatives options such as the WDW roommate page –I will post the link at the bottom of the post*), searching for apartments with other hopefuls, and searching online for possible places**
Falcon Square
Pros:
5 minutes away from the Magic Kingdom & Disney University (where Traditions is going to be)
Publix (grocery store) is about 5 minutes down the street
10-15 minutes away is a Target, as well as other stores and restaurants
Not located near Disney College Program Housing
Washer/Dryer
Bi-weekly house cleaning
Cable ready (Direct TV available for additional cost)
High Speed internet access
Gym on site as well as a pool
Cons:
Hearing fireworks every single night (Yes I know I am going to say it –while the first few nights it was pretty awesome, but after a week or so it just got annoying. Especially when they start doing multiple shows a night, and you work in the morning.
Not strictly PI housing (if your like someone I know that means you may hear a baby crying above you some nights)
Far away with non-Magic Kingdom theme parks (I will have estimated times below)
Also other little facts you might want to know (especially for you former DCP alumni comparing it to CP housing)
There are inspections
No smoking allowed in housing
No overnight guest are allowed
Guest do not have to check in with security (Alumni will understand this one more)
No security that checks IDs
Still no pets allowed in housing
Yes it comes with furniture, cookware, television,
Per usual I will post photos for the inside and outside of Falcon Square
If anyone was wondering on estimated times away from certain theme parks or areas of Walt Disney World here are the estimated (keep in mind these are without traffic)
Downtown Disney/Team Disney/Typhoon Lagoon/Casting: 20-30 minutes
Epcot: 25-35 minutes
Magic Kingdom/Disney University: 5-7 minutes
Animal Kingdom: 25-35 minutes
Blizzard Beach: 20-25 minutes
All Star Resort: 20-30 minutes
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa/Polynesian Resort: 10-15 minutes
Contemporary Resort: 10-15 minutes
Hollywood Studios/Boardwalk: 20-25 minutes
Coronado Springs Resort: 20 minutes
Caribbean Beach Resort: 20 minutes
Cast Connections: 25-30 minutes
Wilderness Lodge: 15-20 minutes
If you had not noticed the only place it is really close to is Magic Kingdom, so if you work at any other (especially Animal Kingdom) you may want to consider a closer alternative. Although Falcon Square is nice the commutes here are based on non-events, non-marathon, and non-busy seasons. I can personally say even though the Grand is only 10-15 minutes away it once took me over an hour to get to work during a marathon -keep that in mind.
*The link to the Facebook group for WDW roommate finder: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WDWApartmentFinder/
**These are popular complexes that are not associated with Disney among cast members: Camden World Gateway, Abaco Key Apartments, Victoria Park Apartments, Cumberland Park Apartments, Post Lakeside Apartments, Discovery Palms, Evander Square Apartments, and Buena Vista Place.