Up all night: 24 hours of Disney World delights

Bears know best: The Country Bear Jamboree — one of the original acts at the park — will fete the extra day.

By Deborah Bowen

Every four years, the calendar rewards us with an extra 24 hours to do with as we see fit. Some work, some play and some choose to immerse themselves in magic. Walt Disney World is exercising its option of giving us 24 straight hours of incredible fun and excitement with ‘One More Disney Day.’ On Feb. 29, Magic Kingdom will stay open from 6 a.m. through 6 a.m. on March 1. So what do you do with 24 extra hours of uninterrupted fun in the Kingdom? Here are five overlooked attractions that might be perfect for you to visit (or revisit, as the case may be):

1. The Country Bear Jamboree
A fully animatronic stage show, starring the likes of gorgeous Teddy Barra, Liver Lips McGrow, and the infamous Big Al, these bears have been performing songs and jokes for audiences since Magic Kingdom first opened on Oct. 1, 1971. While corny, this original attraction certainly “bears” a visit as it takes guests back in time to that grand opening day.

2. The Enchanted Tiki Room
These birds also opened the Magic Kingdom in 1971, and have provided a “tropical serenade” multiple times a day ever since. Featuring the talents of Thurl Ravenscroft and Wally Boag, the Enchanted Tiki Room recently underwent an incredible retro-vation, replacing its punchy, contemporary soundtrack with the original show tunes and script. This kitschy throwback is indicative of a bygone era, and makes anyone wax nostalgic.

3. The Carousel of Progress
John, Sarah, Patricia, James and Rover are your guides through the 20th century. Even the “updates” — virtual reality games and laserdiscs! — are forgivable in their earnestness. With bad jokes, an infectious song and guest appearances by Uncle Orville, this sweet look at the future — via the past — offers a touching glimpse into the values of family, work and fun that Walt himself held in such high esteem.

4. The Hall of Presidents
With a stirring film, soaring score and, of course, the animatronic presidents, this is history come to life. The film is not entirely softballing either: slavery and wars are topics that Morgan Freeman’s stately narration helps to impart in a gentle way. But the highlight, of course, is the presidents. These gentlemen behave in very lifelike ways: shuffling, rustling, even yawning! And it’s always fun to give a cheer when your favoritepresident is announced during the roll call.

5. The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
Not only will you get a good leg stretch as you climb up and down the stairs of this 60-foot-tall tree-home, you’ll come to appreciate the hard work of these castaways, first introduced in the 1812 novel by Johann Wyss. The Treehouse, meant to replicate the one created for the 1960 movie of the same name, shows off the crafty talents of the marooned family. Moving parts — a water wheel, a kitchen pump — bring a bit of action to the static scenes, while “Swisskapolka” plays merrily on the organ, somehow undamaged in the shipwreck. The Treehouse transports its visitors into the story, even while allowing guests to create narratives of their own using powerful imaginations.

While everyone gets a kick out of the pirates and a thrill riding one of the mountains, it’s these stalwart attractions that, for so many, form the backbone of the memories they have of early visits to Magic Kingdom.

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From AOL Travel