Fantasyland is getting a makeover in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, respectively. The above photo is of a model of what the Magic Kingdom will look like when it’s all complete. Except the park will be bigger. The picture was taken at the D23 Expo.

Among the new experiences at Walt Disney World will be a new Snow White roller coaster, a second Dumbo ride with an interactive queue between the two, and a couple nods to Beauty and the Beast. Goofy’s coaster is also getting a makeover. The Magic Kingdom Fantasyland will also get a version of the new Little Mermaid ride that opened this summer in Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.

Magic never rests, folks.

This post is part of UpTake’s Friday Family Series.

Photo: W. Honea

They were on an unavoidable collision course, the immovable object that is Labor Day and the unstoppable force known as rising gas prices.

And now gas got its chocolate in Labor Day’s peanut butter — except that it doesn’t taste nearly as good as that analogy.

With Labor Day weekend on our doorstep it is time to finalize the last-minute travel plans, and possibly find ways to cut some costs. One good way to do that is to utilize public transit in the town you are visiting (or living in if you’re enjoying a staycation). Plan B is walking.

Another good way to save money this holiday weekend is to find a deal — sure, Living Social and Groupon are great, but if you look around the internet you can find the deals that fit your specific needs.

Expedia is offering hotel stays for as little as $31 per night (Plaza Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas) and has deals all over the nation for your overnight needs.

Travel Zoo has Major League Baseball tickets starting at $9, weekend car rentals from $20, and Anaheim stays at $83 per night (hotel with parking, breakfast and shuttle) — that’s where Disneyland lives, people!

The list is endless, it just takes a bit of online time, and let’s face it, you’re there already. Less Facebook (unless it’s UpTake‘s page!), more trip planning!

Be safe, and have a great Labor Day!

This is the easiest Where in the World: Public Art contribution yet. I like to start the month with a gimme.

Here are some clues to help you guess where this public art is located:

1. The town is known for pizza.

2. It’s windy.

3. Wilco and Harry Caray.

4. Da Bears.

I really hope you’ve figured it out by now, but if not the answer is Chicago, which is my kind of town.

Chicago is one of the coolest (and often coldest) cities in America. Any visit should include a ride on the world’s first Ferris wheel, a pint from Goose Island Brewery and a boat tour of the city.

The public art shown above is called Cloud Gate, but everyone knows it as The Bean. I’m not sure why it isn’t called Da Bean, but what do I know from art? It is located in Millennium Park and was created by artist Anish Kapoor by welding 168 stainless steel plates together. The wonderful thing about this piece is that the view is always different — not that it moves, but the skyline and people reflected in it are always in flux. If art can be considered fun, The Bean is it.

This post is part of UpTake’s Public Art Series.

Photo: Bosc d’Anjou via Flickr