[mickey]

Walt Disney World Resort celebrates American citizenship in the daytime and lights the night on July 4 with its biggest fireworks shows of the year.

At Epcot, 500 immigrants will be sworn in as U.S. citizens in a special ceremony conducted by the Immigration and Naturalization Services at 9 a.m. After the new Americans take their vows to citizenship, they will be delighted by their favorite Disney characters in patriotic garb as well as a special visit from “Betsy Ross.”

The Epcot entertainment schedule on July 4 includes:

* “This is America” show at the America Gardens Theatre (12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m.).
* Native American dancers inside the Rotunda.
* An authentic bluegrass band inside the Rotunda.
* “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” with an American fireworks tribute (10 p.m.).

Guests can enjoy explosive fireworks shows at two other Walt Disney World theme parks and at Downtown Disney Pleasure Island as well:

* Magic Kingdom – A presentation of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks more than twice the size of the normal show and featuring special patriotic music (9 p.m.)
* Disney-MGM Studios – A rare presentation of “Sorcery in the Sky” fireworks complete with special music and fireworks (9:15 p.m.)
* Downtown Disney Pleasure Island – Midnight fireworks show features a special patriotic tribute (12 a.m.)

At Disney-MGM Studios, “Fantasmic!”, the park’s multi-media entertainment extravaganza, will be presented at 10:30 p.m.

Pleasure Island also offers week-long festivities (June 30-July 6) with performances from the '80s All-Stars as well as patriotic décor and entertainment.