Elena d'Avalor

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.

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!

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.

I think that this show is really cute, and that the art is well done and successfully looks like Sofia the First. The songs are intriguing. But, if this is supposed to be a show for Disney channel, I don't think it belongs there. Disney channel's targeted viewers are 8-12 and possibly a bit older. This show seems like it is for children 7 and under. This show belongs in Disney Junior, and if it is, then great.

One minor thing about this, though, is that the plot is pretty basic. They need to go deeper with the meaning behind the story. It just doesn't make sense that a girl was stuck in an amulet and wasn't freed until many, many years later. That just doesn't add up.

But altogether, this show seems like a good show for children. Teens and adults might find this a bit boring, though.

At first, I saw it as a new princess for new generations and, off course, as demonstration of political correctness.

But, episode by episode, it becomes more.

The cultural references are just inspired used and entire story propose a charming aura to characters and situations.

The educational aspect is not minor and the magic is used in amusing to wise manner.

And, sure, the eulogy to friendship and family can be useful. Short, a nice series.