Res Handbook Unofficial

The Unofficial Navigator Resident Guide to Flamingo Crossings

Read This First

When you move into Flamingo Crossings Village, you’ll get access to an official Resident Handbook from Flamingo/American Campus Communities. This is a legal document and you need to read it, understand it, and follow it.

Here’s the reality: You’ll hear people say “Flamingo doesn’t enforce the rules” or “nobody follows that stuff.” Don’t believe it. While it’s true that enforcement can be inconsistent, rules DO get enforced, and violations can result in fines, loss of privileges, or even eviction Flamingo and the end of your program. Don’t let someone else’s experience become your expensive lesson.

What you’re reading right now is DCPNavigator’s guide to help you understand the key points from the  official resident handbook. We’ve compiled this based on feedback from CPs and what we know matters most. But here’s the deal: the official Resident Handbook (found in your resident portal) is the final word. If there’s ever a discrepancy between what we say here and what the official handbook says, the official handbook wins every time.

Rules and policies can change at any time, so check your resident portal regularly and pay attention to emails from Flamingo management. Don’t assume that what your friend experienced last year still applies to you today.

Now let’s break down what you actually need to know.

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Day One Essentials

When you arrive at Flamingo, you’ll be issued a Key Card. This card is your access to everything—the community gates, your apartment, your bedroom door, and all the amenities like the fitness center and pool.

Every single time you enter the community—whether you’re driving through the vehicle gate or walking through the pedestrian entrance—you MUST scan your key card. This isn’t optional, and it’s not just a suggestion. If you’re caught entering without scanning your card, you’re violating your lease agreement. Yes, even if you’re just running in quickly. Yes, even if someone else is holding the door. Scan. Your. Card.

Never, and we mean never, give your key card to someone else. Lending your card to a friend, roommate, or literally anyone can result in a $50 fine and potentially eviction. If someone needs access to the community, they need to be signed in as your guest (more on that later).

Each apartment gets one mailbox shared by all four residents, and you’ll find one key for it. Look on your fridge when you move in—there should be a paper with your mailbox number, which building it’s located in, and most importantly, your apartment’s mailing address.

Pay attention to this: Each building at Flamingo has a different street address. You can’t just use “Flamingo Crossings Village” as your address. You need the specific address for YOUR building. Write it down, save it in your phone, and use it every time you order something online or update your address anywhere.

For packages too big for your mailbox, Flamingo uses a system called Parcel Pending. Both East and West have package rooms with automated lockers. When you arrive, you’ll get an email with instructions on setting up your Parcel Pending account. Do not try to access this account before you get that email. Logging in early can mess up your account and cause problems with package notifications.

Here’s how it works: When a package arrives for you, you’ll get a notification through Parcel Pending telling you it’s ready for pickup. Give it 48 hours from the expected delivery date before you panic about a missing package—it takes time for packages to get sorted and placed in the lockers.

USPS packages: If your tracking shows it was delivered but you don’t have a notification after 48 hours, fill out a missing package form at the Community Center Service Window and staff will investigate.

All other carriers (UPS, FedEx, Amazon, DHL, etc.): These go straight to the Parcel Pending lockers. Flamingo staff doesn’t handle them. If there’s a problem with delivery from these carriers, contact the carrier directly—Flamingo can’t help you.

Important: Flamingo will NOT accept packages before your move-in date. Don’t try to send stuff early. You won’t get your address until you arrive, and you definitely can’t use the general community address.

Furniture and Items

Your apartment comes fully furnished, and that’s all the furniture you’re allowed to have. You cannot bring in additional furniture. This includes desks, desk chairs, mini fridges, large shelves, or any other furniture you think might be helpful. The apartment has what it has, and adding more isn’t allowed.

Recording Devices

No cameras, video doorbells, or any other recording devices are permitted inside or outside your apartment. This means no Ring doorbells on your door, no security cameras in common areas, nothing. If you’re worried about security, talk to management about their existing security measures, but you can’t install your own.

Outside Your Door

Your front door is not a storage area or decoration display. The only things allowed outside your apartment door are a doormat and a wreath. That’s it. Shoes, trash, packages, decorations, or anything else left outside can result in fees. Also, don’t damage your door by hanging things on it in ways that leave marks or holes—you’ll be charged for that too.

Inside Decorations

You can decorate inside your apartment, but here’s one rule that surprises people: You cannot use empty alcohol bottles as decorations. Even if you think that collection of craft beer bottles looks cool or artsy, it’s not allowed. Find other ways to decorate.

WHAT THE LEASE SAYS:

Neither you nor your guests will be allowed to engage in the following prohibited activities:

        1. loud  or obnoxious conduct
        2. disturbing or threatening the rights, comfort, health, safety or convenience  of others in or near the Apartment Community
        3. possessing, selling or manufacturing illegal  drugs/controlled substances (including medical marijuana) or illegal drug paraphernalia
        4. engaging in or threatening violence or any criminal activity
        5. possessing a weapon
        6. discharging a firearm in the Apartment Community
        7. displaying a firearm, BB gun, pellet gun, any other air  powered weapon, knife or other weapon in the Apartment Community in a threatening manner
        8. canvassing or soliciting business or contributions,
        9. operating a business or child care service within  the Premises or Apartment Community
        10. storing anything in closets having gas and/or electric  appliances
        11. tampering with utilities or utility systems
        12. bringing or storing hazardous  materials into the Apartment Community
        13. using candles or kerosene or gas lamps in the  Premises or Apartment Community. 

Electric Bills

Flamingo caps your electric usage, and if your apartment goes over the cap, everyone in the apartment splits the overage equally. Here’s how the caps work:

  • Shared bedroom: $25 per resident per month
  • Private bedroom: $35 per resident per month

So if you’re in a 4×4 apartment (four shared bedrooms), your apartment’s total monthly electric cap is $100. If your apartment uses $150 worth of electricity, that extra $50 gets divided four ways, and each of you pays an additional $12.50.

Want to avoid overages? Be smart about AC/heat usage, turn off lights, and have a conversation with your roommates about keeping the thermostat at a reasonable temperature. Those overages add up fast, especially in the summer.

Internet

High-speed internet is included in your rent. If you have issues with your internet service, the handbook lists contact information for the current provider, and there’s an internet user guide available on your Community Resources page in the resident portal.

Charges and Fees

The official handbook has an extensive (but not complete) list of every possible fee you might face. We’re talking lost key cards, parking violations, noise complaints, pet policy violations, unauthorized alcohol in common areas—the list goes on.

There are also detailed charts for every room in your apartment showing exactly how much you’ll be charged for cleaning, repairing, or replacing damaged, dirty, or missing items. This includes appliances, fixtures, furniture, and housewares. The charts even break down fees for partially or fully cleaning or painting each room.

The takeaway: Take care of your apartment and follow the rules. Every violation and every bit of damage costs money.

You can check any charges or fees on your account by logging into your statement on the Community Portal. Check it regularly so you’re not blindsided by fees you didn’t know about.

Making It Work

For a lot of you, this might be your first time living with roommates in an apartment-style setup. Even if you’ve had roommates before, living with three other people in a small space while also working demanding schedules at Disney is its own challenge.

The keys to making it work are pretty straightforward: compromise, consideration, understanding, acceptance, compassion, and respect. Respect for each other, for personal space, for personal belongings, for shared items, and for the entire community around you.

But honestly? The most important tool you have is communication. Talk to your roommates. Set expectations early about things like cleanliness, noise, guests, shared food, and shower schedules. Don’t let little annoyances build up until they explode into major conflicts.

Remember, this isn’t a dorm and there is no RA down the hall.  If your roommate isn’t taking out the trash then you need to have a conversation — with the roommate.  There isn’t an option to ‘go get someone’ to have that conversation for you.   To be in the program successfully, you need communication and problem-solving skills.  If you need some tips on how to have the conversation, then there are ways to get help. But it’s probably still your problem to resolve.

When Things Get Tough

If you’re having problems with a roommate or neighbor, the first step is having a conversation with them.   If you’ve tried and and talking it out isn’t working, you can try talking to someone from the Flamingo Resident Experience Team (RET). Many have reported mixed experiences on the help they were able to get from the RET.   One service that they can offere is MEDIATION.   That involves you and the other person sitting down to have another conversation with someone from the Resident Team helping to facilitate.   But, here’s the thing; It’s optional.  If you want to go to mediation and the other person doesn’t want to go then they don’t have to — and the Experience Team will probably say “Oh well. We can’t force them. 

Check the Resident Handbook. There are tips ther.

REMEMBER – If someone is doing something that is BREAKING THE LAW, you report it to the Orange County Sheriff or call 911 if it’s an EMERGENCY.    If someone is breaking the lease or doing something that violates Flamingo rules, and it is effecting you, report is to the Flamingo desk.

Parties (Gatherings)

If you want to have a get-together of 10* or more people in your apartment, you need approval from management first. And here’s the thing: management can break up any group if they determine there are more than 10 people in your apartment, whether you got approval or not. Keep your gatherings small, and if you’re planning something bigger, get permission in advance.
*That’s total, including the people that live there. So if a roommate isn’t home (yet) you need to plan for when they get home.  There is a fine for breaking the rule and there have been frequent reports of residents being fined.

Guest Sign-In Rules

Management can change the guest rules at any time, but here are the current policies. These are strict, and violations can lead to fines or eviction.

Every guest entering Flamingo Crossings Village must be signed in by you using a valid physical government-issued ID. Whether they’re driving in through the vehicle gate or walking through the pedestrian entrance, they must sign in. If you’re caught not properly signing in your guests, you’ll face a $50 fine and potentially lose your guest privileges entirely.

You can sign in up to three guests who are 18 or older, plus any minors they’re accompanied by. The exception is move-in day—new residents can only have two helpers during move-in.

Guest hours: Guests cannot be signed in between 12:30 AM and 7:00 AM. If your guest is 18 or older, they must leave by 1:00 AM. If they’re under 18, they must leave by 10:00 PM.

Overnight Guests

You cannot have overnight guests unless they are also residents of Flamingo Crossings Village. If your guest is an FCV resident, they can stay over, but only for three consecutive days maximum and no more than three times per month.

You absolutely cannot let someone who’s not a resident live in your apartment or anywhere on the property. Violating this rule can result in eviction.

Your Responsibility

You must stay with your guests at all times. If your guest is walking around the community without you, they are criminally trespassing. Seriously. Don’t let your guests wander off to use the pool, grab something from their car, or walk to another building without you.

If you’re using community amenities with your guests—the pool, fitness center, basketball courts, whatever—you are responsible for their behavior and any damage they cause. If your guests disturb other residents or break rules, you can lose your amenity privileges.

  • Community Center

The Community Center is open 24/7 and offers a bunch of amenities on a first-come, first-served basis:

  • Computers and printers
  • Lounge areas and meeting spaces
  • Gaming tables and equipment
  • Vending machines
  • Service Window: This is where you can check out sporting equipment, gaming systems, board games, cleaning supplies, Swiffer, vacuum, hand tools, packing materials, an iron and ironing board, a luggage scale, wagons, dollies, and bus-approved grocery carts. (By the way, those grocery carts are the ONLY wheeled items allowed on Disney Programs bus transportation.) 

*For some reason, when talking about the stuff you can “borrow” or check-out from the Service WIndow, lots of people refer to it as “RENTING”.   You’re not renting it. It’s free.

Fitness Center

The fitness center is open 24 hours a day. Use it whenever you want, just clean up after yourself and be respectful of others working out.

Swimming Pools

Pool hours are 8:00 AM to midnight, with quiet hours from 10:00 PM to midnight. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim at your own risk.

No glass items or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the pool areas. If you’re causing a disturbance or not following pool rules, you’ll be asked to leave. Don’t be that person.

Recreation Areas

Flamingo has volleyball courts, basketball courts, and The Great Lawn for outdoor activities. These areas are open from 8:00 AM to midnight, with quiet hours from 10:00 PM to midnight.

Resident Events

The FCV Events Team plans programs and activities throughout the year, with several events each week. You can find upcoming events on DORMS, on the weekly calendar distributed at Flamingo, through Disney Programs social media pages, and in the weekly email newsletter.

Your Parking Pass

If you registered a vehicle in DORMS and purchased a hang tag, make sure you read the parking section of the official handbook carefully. Here are the most important rules:

You can only park in the community where you live. If you live in East, you can’t park in West. If you live in West, you can’t park in East. Period.

Your vehicle can be towed without notice (and at your expense) for violations including:

        • Not displaying your FCV hang tag visibly in your vehicle
        • Blocking a fire lane
        • Blocking an entrance, exit, or aisle
        • Parking in a reserved space

Visitor Parking

There are visitor parking spots near the pedestrian pavilion at both East and West. Residents cannot park in visitor spots, even in your own community. If you’re caught parking in a visitor spot, you’ll be hit with a $50 fee and your car may be towed at your expense.

If you live in West and want to visit someone in East (or vice versa), you’ll need to walk, take the bus, or use a rideshare. You can’t drive over and park.

Vehicle Services on Property

People always ask whether mechanics can come to Flamingo to work on cars. Some services are allowed, others aren’t.

Services that ARE allowed:

        • Jump starts
        • Tire changes
        • Locksmith services
        • Windshield replacement (as long as no debris is left behind)
        • Towing a vehicle OFF the property

Services that are NOT allowed:

        • Mechanical repairs
        • Oil changes
        • Body work
        • Car washes
        • Towing a vehicle ONTO the property

Important notes:

    • Your lease prohibits you from operating a business on property, so don’t offer to do any of these services for other residents in exchange for money.
    • You must sign in and accompany any service providers (tow truck drivers, locksmiths, etc.) while they’re on Flamingo property. They’re your guests, and you’re responsible for them.
    • Rules can change at any time, so if you need any service performed on your vehicle at Flamingo, contact FCV management BEFORE you schedule it to make sure you won’t be violating any policies.

Alcohol

You need to follow all federal, state, and local laws about alcohol consumption. That’s a given.  Alcohol in any form or container is not allowed in common areas of the community. Keep it in your apartment.

You cannot have alcohol containers larger than one gallon on the property. So no kegs, no giant bottles of liquor, nothing over a gallon.  And as we mentioned earlier, you cannot use empty alcohol bottles as decorations in your apartment.

Pets

The official policy is that “PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED” at Flamingo Crossings Village but you would never know that when you walk around.   There are so many Emotional Support Animals everywhere.   You have to get preemission from Flamingo to have an ESA but Navigator believes that the answer is pretty much always a YES and so the number of “pets” at FCV continues to grow.  But, if you don’t get permission and you’re caught with a pet (probably because a roomate turned you in), you’ll be fined. 

Noise

Flamingo has a 24-hour courtesy policy that applies everywhere—your apartment, common areas, outdoor spaces, all of it. If your noise or behavior is disturbing another resident, it must stop immediately when requested by that resident or a staff member.

You’re not allowed to use amplified musical instruments or sound equipment anywhere on the property. So no band practice, no DJ setup with massive speakers, nothing like that.

You can be fined for noise violations. Repeated noise violations can result in eviction. Be respectful of your neighbors, especially those working early morning or overnight shifts.

Scooters – eBikes – “Wheels” – anything with a battery

Electric recreational scooters, electric bikes, or similar items are not allowed in the community for use or storage.

Also,  you can’t bring retail shopping carts (like the ones from Walmart or Target) into Flamingo. Come on. Why would you?  The shopping cart belongs to the store, don’t take it.

BBQ Grills

There are grills available throughout Flamingo for resident use on a first-come, first-served basis. If you use one, you’re responsible for cleaning the grill and the area around it when you’re done. Nobody wants to show up to a dirty grill covered in your leftover food.

You cannot bring your own charcoal or gas grills onto the property.

Submitting Service Requests

You can submit maintenance requests through the Community Portal or by contacting the FCV Front Desk. Most requests get resolved within 48 hours unless parts need to be ordered. If parts are needed, you’ll be notified.

You can check the status of your request anytime through the portal or by calling the front desk.

What’s Considered an Emergency

Maintenance emergencies include lock-outs, loss of power, fire, flood, broken windows, and broken exterior doors. Some air conditioning or heating issues may also be considered emergencies depending on the outside temperature—contact the front desk to find out.

If you lose power in your apartment or part of your apartment, first check your breaker box. Look for any switches that need to be reset. If that doesn’t fix it or you’re not sure what to do, contact the front desk.

Common Issues

Insects: If you notice bugs in your apartment, contact the front desk to request pest control service.

Our power went out – check the circuit breakers, probably located next to the washer/dryer

Clogged toilet: If a toilet is clogged and overflowing, shut off the water using the shut-off valve on the wall below the tank. Use a plunger to try to unclog it, then turn the water back on and flush. If the problem continues, submit a service request.

Scheduled Maintenance

Flamingo conducts routine preventative maintenance and inspections to keep the apartments and community in good shape. When they need to enter your apartment for these services, you’ll get an email notification and they’ll post notices outside residential buildings before entry. They follow local and state laws for these inspections.

In true emergencies, they might not be able to give you 24-hour notice before entering your apartment, but they’ll notify you as soon as possible.

If someone tells you that it is your private property and you have a lease and pay rent and that Flamingo (the landlord) isn’t allowed to enter your apartment without your permission…..ask them where they went to law school.  It’s just not true and it’s not just a Flamingo thing. It’s pretty much the same in other apartment complexes.  They can come in.  They need to knock first, but they can come in.

 

Personal Safety Practices

The handbook includes recommended safety practices to follow in your apartment and around the community. Even the best security systems can’t guarantee your safety, so use the same common sense you’d use anywhere else.

If you see any suspicious people or activity, report it to Security or the Community Center Front Desk or call 911.

Emergencies

If you feel your personal safety or someone else’s safety is at risk, call 911. After you make that call, notify the Community Center Front Desk as well so they’re aware of the situation.

Local Law Enforcement is provided by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. For emergencies dial 911.  For non-emergencies you can contact them by calling (407) 836-4357.   (Take a minute and create a contact in your phone with that number)

DO NOT CALL DISNEY SECURITY FOR ISSUES AT FLAMINGO. DISNEY SECURITY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

Don’t hesitate to call for help if something feels wrong. Trust your instincts.

Flamingo Security –

they are not Law Enforcement. They are not trained to intervene in dangerous situations.  They check resident ID’s, scan in guests and things like that.  They are there as a courtesy. 

What the lease says:

        1. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY OR SECURITY
        2. YOU MUST EXERCISE  DUE CARE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND SECURITY AND THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OTHERS
        3. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE LANDLORD DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR ASSURE PERSONAL  SECURITY OR SAFETY FOR YOU OR ANYONE

        4. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SECURITY/SAFETY AND FOR THE  SECURITY/SAFETY OF YOUR GUESTS AND YOUR PROPERTY. 

        5. None of our safety measures are an express  or implied warranty of security or a guarantee against injury, loss, crime, or of a reduced risk of crime
        6. You acknowledge that, except as otherwise provided by law,  we are not liable to you or your guests for injury to persons or damage or loss to property caused by other parties, including criminal conduct of other persons.

Check the resident portal regularly. Policies change, important announcements get posted, and you’re responsible for staying informed.

Read the official Resident Handbook. We can’t stress this enough. What we’ve provided here is a guide to help you understand the key points, but the official handbook is your legal agreement with Flamingo. Know what’s in it.

When in doubt, ask. If you’re not sure whether something is allowed or how a policy works, contact the FCV Front Desk or management. It’s better to ask and be sure than to violate a rule and face consequences.

Take care of your space and respect others. Most of the rules exist to make sure everyone can live comfortably and safely. Follow them, be a good neighbor, and you’ll have a much better experience.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY

DCP NAVIGATOR (DCPNAVIGATOR.com) is an independent, third-party resource that provides information, tips, and guidance related to the Disney College Program (DCP). DCPNAVIGATOR is not affiliated with or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to The Walt Disney Company; The Disney College Program; Disney Programs & Experiences; or any Disney subsidiaries or affiliates or American Campus Communities (ACC) / Flamingo Crossings Village (FCV).

All DCP Navigator content is based on publicly available information, personal experiences of the authors, and contributions from the DCP community. While we strive to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up-to-date, DCPNAVIGATOR.com does not claim any official representation of Disney, ACC or FCV policies, procedures, or operations. For official information, please refer to Disney’s own resources and support channels as well as the Flamingo resident portal

The information provided on DCPNAVIGATOR.com is for general informational purposes only. DCP Navigator, its authors, and its contributors make no guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any content. Policies, procedures, housing rules, pay structures, and program requirements may change at any time without notice.

By using this site, you agree that DCP Navigator, its owners, authors, and contributors shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or other damages arising out of or related to the use of the website or reliance on any information provided.

Nothing on this website constitutes legal, financial, employment, mental health, or professional advice. Users should independently verify all information with official Disney College Program, Walt Disney Company, ACC or Flamingo Crossings Village sources and make decisions based on their own judgment and circumstances.

Use of DCPNAVIGATOR.com is at your own risk.

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