Elena von Avalor

This show features positive messages for young viewers in a great format! The music, dialogue, and characters are easy to enjoy without pandering or being obnoxious. There is plenty of Latin culture, history, and artistry to each episode. The fantasy characters (like the Jaquins) provide the "magic" and imagination that kids expect in Disney fantasy plots. Now that we've watched the first few shows a time or two, Our 5-year- old explains Elana's backstory (being trapped in an amulet, her grandparents and sister being trapped in a painting) to anyone who will listen. Like Disney Princesses Mulan, Merida, and even Sophia, she is not worried about needing to be rescued- she learns lessons and figures things out on her own. Our mixed-race and mixed-heritage (Spanish, Cuban, and Irish) family with kids aged 3-12 loves this show. The adults in our family appreciate the music, cultural references, and even the Spanish words in each episode.

Ok, so I'm lowkey confused as to why there are so many not great reviews on this show. Let's just go down this list real quick: -Good Animation? Check -Storyline that makes sense? Check -Music written with culture tones? Check -Characters that we love to love? Check -An interesting plot line? Well I guess it depends on what you're interested in, but for me? Double check In short, this might just be my personal opinion but don't give up on this show. It's a gem and one of the best shows Disney has to offer.

I love watching this show more than my 18m daughter! I like that it was an overall story line plus subplots just like any of my normal shows (ie. Supernatural) the stories are very intriguing and the animations are beautiful! I love all of the magical aspects and the differences in cultures!

My kids love the fantasy and story telling of this show. I love seeing so much of my heritage being portrayed in such a lovely way.

so let me start out that I'm a 34 year old Disney fan with no children. I watch this show because I enjoy it and Sofia the First as lighthearted shows that bring me Disney Magic more often then new Disney movies come out.

I've read the other 4 review of this show, written when very few of the episodes where out and I feel that I can expand on what they have said.

Firs off, yes this show is a Spin Off of Sofia the First (a Disney Junior show), but with an older main character (Elena) so that it deals with ordeals of a more mature theme, which is why it's on the Disney Channel and not Disney Junior. Like StF there is at least one new song each episode, and they are written to at least sound like Latino music to keep with the feel of Disney's First Latino Princess. There are many other nods to different Latino cultures threw out the show. Which I find enjoyable, as it differentiates Avalor from all other Disney Countries, giving it it's own flair.

Most of the episodes deals with Elena, newly released from the Amulet of Avalor after 41 years, dealing with decisions she has to make as Crown Princess. Elena's still a teenager so things don't always go as planed. There have also been a few villains that come threw, some with magic making her Royal Wizard a necessary helper.

For those who want the backstory of Elena, how she got trapped in an amulet, how she got out etc. you will need to watch the Sofia the First special Elena and the Secret of Avalor, as, like I said, this is a spin off series. (I'm hoping that in the future there will be more crossovers and mention to places and things from StF in EoA).

All in all I think this is a great show, and properly belongs on the Disney Channel and not Disney Junior.