Swearing in With Mouse Ears

Who's going to Disney World? Newly minted American citizens, that’s who.

Today, 1,000 people are expected to assemble on Main Street near Cinderella’s Castle, raise their right hands and take the Oath of Allegiance, according to Walt Disney World News Roundup. Andy Garcia, himself a naturalized citizen originally from Cuba, will deliver the keynote address to the citizens who represent more than 100 countries of origin and will range in age from 18 to 82. The highest-ranking official within the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will preside over the morning ceremony.

After the official business concludes, Disney will then provide the new citizens their first gift as Americans: a preview performance of their spruced-up Hall of Presidents attraction. Obama — or at least a lifelike Audio-Animatronics figure of the 44th president — will make its debut and speak comments the in-the-flesh president recently uttered at the White House. George Washington gets a bigger starring role: For the first time his figure stands and delivers a speech. Honest Abe also delivers the Gettysburg Address. Disney worked with celebrated historian Doris Kearns Goodwin to revamp the 25-minute show.

OK, so maybe the swearing-in includes a somewhat obvious marketing tie-in, but the fact remains that Disney is allowing 1,000 people to enjoy a pretty darn special day. Besides, isn’t capitalism the American way?