The Disney Parks blog quietly announced this week that Disney's Art of Animation at Walt Disney World is now accepting reservations for the value-priced resort.

Disney's Art of Animation began its life as the second phase of the Pop Century Resort, whose Classic Years buildings opened in 2003. Originally intended to be themed to the Legendary Years (early to mid-20th century), construction on the resort was halted due to decreased tourism after 9/11. In January 2010, Disney began preliminary groundwork to complete the resort with an all-new theme: popular Disney animated characters.

Concept art for a "Finding Nemo" themed building

The first of the resort's planned 1,120 suites are tentatively planned to open in Summer 2012, with the entire resort expected to be completed by the end of 2012. The ten buildings are themed to four Disney properties: "Cars," "Finding Nemo," "The Little Mermaid," and "The Lion King."