Elena of Avalor

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.

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.

Firstly, This show is actually good. It's good for children even though it features the traditions and cultures of Latin and Spain. Although it was quite weird because they say Elena is Latin but they say Spanish terms such as "abuela, abuelita, abuelito, abuelo, etc" It's kind of weird. That's the only thing weird about it. Secondly, it features the tradition and culture of our country in the Philippines indirectly but it's somehow similar. Anyway, that's not the point. It promotes how the differences of each country somehow. Thirdly, the story plot is kind of basic and it's pretty cliche although but it has to happen because it's just for kids. But if you are 13 above you might understand the plot of the story and might find it cliche. It just seems the story all over and over. But there's one thing to make a kids story not cliche. The ending should have a plot twist even it if it has a happy ending. Like for example, the end is just the beginning. What if another story with another twisted story coming through except the story is actually kind of good thanks to the good character development. But it would be awesome if something else was added to the story especially the other story plot that happened in the third movie and season. I ain't spoiling but it wasn't cliche and good. Fourth, there were many easter eggs in the story. Also some messages from other disney princesses and I think they asked permit from the writers for it to work but it was quite good. It doesn't really matter since the amulet summoned other princesses in Sofia the First that taught the messages. Who knows? Maybe Elena inherited the stories from all of it and maybe become a really role model princess. All messages from the show reflect on problems to solutions based in real life. Fifth, I like the song numbers lol. They also have good messages and an upbeat beat. Okay, that sounds repetitive but who cares lol. A positive message needs the world right now. Sixth, Elena, Mateo, Gabe, Naomi, and Isa make a good squad they should get one last adventure before the story really ends. ONE BIG ADVENTURE! But it's sad to say that the story is ending in August aww. I wish they could stay longer and have another show. A spin-off maybe but with a more adventurous but less cliche story plot. With complex conflict but not that complex. I just really wish that the story must go on but all stories have a beginning. Although who knows? Maybe the end is just the beginning. Maybe. Hehe. (P.S. a reference from Ever After High hehe)

So that is all. This show will forever be in my heart until the die. Even though i'm now a teenager but who cares this is for all. If there was one word that describes this show it would be "Magnificent"

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 am really disappointed in a lot of the reviews I see on this forum about Elena...someone complaining that Elena can "do all these things she shouldn't be able to do." Like fencing, magic, soccer. If the person who wrote the review had even watched that episode, she spent the entire episode being trained in dexterity, agility and speed by the Lt. of the Royal Guard, she was actually quite bad at fencing in the episode, even though her mother, the best fencer in the kingdom had trained her. this is a great show that I will even watch without my 2 year old. Elena is a strong young lady who has to learn to rule her kingdom. Each episode is a learning experience for Elena. She makes a lot of mistakes, but learns with each episode. This is such a great show for kids and most of the music is fantastic. I can pretty much sing every song by heart. This show teaches children how to be responsible and to be true to their hearts despite what others think.