Bucs, Disney laud camp experience

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- On the first day of practice at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex, swarms of dragonflies were becoming an annoyance.

By the afternoon practice, they were gone.

"We relocated them," said Lee Cockerell, executive vice president of operations for Walt Disney Resorts, who would not get into the specifics of how the dragonflies were relocated.

Disney Magic? Perhaps.

But as Bucs officials point out, it's another example of how prepared Disney is for massive events and glitches that come with them.

Wednesday, the Bucs wrapped up their inaugural training camp at Disney for a return to Tampa, and although players and coaches seem happy to get back to their homes, everyone appeared delighted about the three-week experience.

"We've been here three weeks, and it's a long time," coach Jon Gruden said. "It's time to move on and start to look at the regular season to some degree. But I thought it was a great experience here. The people who worked with us here at Disney were great, and the accommodations were great. It was a real first-class operation, and I think our players really enjoyed training camp.

"They had an outstanding facility that's very conducive to meetings and meals. Guys weren't in a hurry to leave for dinner. They ate together, met together, spent a lot of time together. We have a lot of new guys, and new coaches, and I think we came together."

Former Bengals linebacker Reggie Williams, now vice president of Disney Sports Attractions, said Disney was very pleased with how things turned out.

"I want to send a tremendous note of appreciation to how classy the organization and the players have treated the facilities and the fans," Williams said. "They couldn't have been better. We have had absolutely zero issues."

Predictably, there were challenges, such as the heavy traffic backup the first morning of joint practices with the Dolphins and the bus rides players had to take from the facility to the Celebration Hotel.

But considering the number of events that took place simultaneously with training camp -- an international cricket tournament, the AAU national basketball and baseball finals and a national softball tournament -- there were no apparent mishaps.

"The bottom line is they know how to treat people," assistant general manager John Idzik said. "They're in the hospitality industry. They know how to treat crowds. We had softball, cricket, soccer, basketball, baseball and we're like, 'Holy smokes, this is supposed to be a somewhat private camp, how are we going to do this?' They managed it wonderfully, they really did. They're pros at it and it shows."

Added Williams: "There were a number of challenges behind the scenes and our job is to make it look like it went off flawlessly. ... If (problems) happened, I didn't know about (them)."

After the season, the Bucs and Disney officials will open discussions on the option for next year. While Disney seems keen on having the Bucs back, the decision is up to the team. Training in Disney costs the Bucs about $1.4-million.

"We're flattered that people are interested," Williams said. "We think that if this camp was good and having more time to plan it and prepare for it can only ensure that next year's opportunity is even better."

Idzik said discussions could begin quickly.

"There's really no immediate time frame, but we'll talk while it's still fresh because there's certain little things that you'd like to iron out, and it's easier to do that coming right off the camp," Idzik said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we enter into those types of discussions -- what can we do a little different or a little better from both ends next year -- pretty soon."

TURF WARS: A big concern for Disney officials was whether the delicate playing surfaces would take the pounding of two-a-days. They also worried about the condition of the outfield of the baseball field, one of the sites for the practices with the Dolphins.

Apparently, the surfaces held up well.

"The biggest restriction on our facility is the ability of the grass to recover," Williams said. "That was one of the unknowns. Could that turf take the pounding? We have tested it but this was the biggest test yet. The vision was that no athlete would get hurt because of the turf. The outfield survived."

-- ROGER MILLS, RICK STROUD