| Genre: | Adventure Fantasy Comedy |
| Creator: | Craig Gerber |
| Voices: | |
| Theme Music Composer: | John Kavanaugh Craig Gerber |
| Composer: | Tony Morales |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 3 |
| Num Episodes: | 77 |
| List Episodes: | List of Elena of Avalor episodes |
| Executive Producer: | Craig Gerber |
| Producer: | Pilar Flynn (S2-3) |
| Runtime: | 24 min |
| Company: | Disney Television Animation |
| Network: |
Elena of Avalor is an American animated television series created by Craig Gerber that premiered on Disney Channel on July 22, 2016, and moved to Disney Junior on July 14, 2018. The series features Aimee Carrero as the voice of Elena, Disney's first Latina princess.
In July 2020, Disney announced that Elena of Avalor would end after three seasons. The series finale, "Coronation Day" aired on August 23, 2020.
Princess Elena Castillo Flores[1] has been freed from the Amulet of Avalor by Princess Sofia and has saved her magical kingdom of Avalor from evil sorceress Shuriki. As she had been trapped in the amulet for 41 years while Shuriki ruled the kingdom, she must now learn to rule as its crown princess. Since she is only 16 years old, she must follow the guidance of a Grand Council, composed of her grandparents, older cousin Chancellor Esteban, and a new friend, Naomi Turner. Elena also looks to her little sister, Isabel, her friends, wizard Mateo, and Royal Guard lieutenant, Gabe, a spirit animal named Zuzo, and a trio of magical flying creatures called Jaquins for guidance and support.
In season 1, Elena adjusts to her new life as crown princess, while learning to master the power of her scepter. At the end of the season, Elena learns from Quita Moz of the Sunbird Oracles that she will soon be facing a darkness and will be tested on her bravery and leadership; if she fails, she will never become queen.
In the second season, Elena spends time preparing for her test while simultaneously facing Victor and Carla Delgado, who have teamed up with Shuriki, who has her powers restored. She also befriends the Sirenas of Nueva Vista, and enlists their help to defeat Shuriki.
In season 3, Elena's cousin Esteban is revealed to have been in on Shuriki's original takeover of the kingdom more than 41 years earlier, and is banished from the kingdom. Meanwhile, Elena is granted new emotion-based powers after falling into a crystal well in Takaina. She spends the season preparing for her coronation as queen, learning to control her emotion magic, and facing down the Delgados' wicked matriarch, Ash.
Elena's adventures lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience, and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.
See main article: List of Elena of Avalor episodes.
See main article: List of Elena of Avalor characters.
The series' creator and executive producer Craig Gerber said: "It was very important to us that, since we were doing a show with a kingdom inspired by Latin American culture, that we get that right. Even though it's a fairytale world, there are things that feel very authentic." Story editor Silvia Olivas stated: "We have cultural consultants help us every step of the way. They read everything from the premise all the way through the final draft." On the show's music, Latin music consultant Rene Camacho said: "The styles of music we're using overall — it's all Latin-based, it's very festive." Consultant Diane Rodriguez stated that the series "has this visual element that's so evocative, it takes the look of the Latino culture, of the Americas, almost to another level."[2] In June 2016, the music video for "My Time" was released.[3] The series was renewed for a second season on August 11, 2016.[4] The series was renewed for a third season on February 13, 2017.[5] The second season premiered on October 14, 2017.
On September 17, 2019, it was announced that the third season would premiere on October 7, 2019.[6]
The series concluded on August 23, 2020.
The debut episode "First Day of Rule" was distributed on-demand on June 20, 2016 by Rogers TV in Canada.[7] Disney scheduled the online release in the United States for July 1, 2016.[8] An episode of the series aired as a sneak peek on Disney Channel in the UK and Ireland on July 15, 2016, and more episodes aired later in the year.[9] [10] A television movie titled Elena and the Secret of Avalor, which shows the origins of the series, premiered on November 20, 2016.[11] [12] [13] The series' final episode, a one-hour special, "Elena of Avalor: Coronation Day" aired on August 23, 2020.
Home media is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
| +Elena of Avalor home video releases | Season | Episodes | Years active | Release dates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | |||||
| 1 | 25 | 2016–17 | Volume 1: Ready to Rule (episodes 1-4): December 6, 2016[14] Volume 2: Elena and the Secret of Avalor (episodes 5-8 + "Elena and the Secret of Avalor" (TV film): February 7, 2017[15] Volume 3: Celebrations to Remember (episodes 9, 11, 14, 16-18): September 12, 2017 Volume 4: Realm of the Jaquins ("Realm of the Jaquins"): August 7, 2018 | ||
| 2 | 24 | 2017–19 | Volume 4: Realm of the Jaquins ("Three Jaquins and a Princess" and "Shapeshifters"): August 7, 2018 | ||
| Adventures in Vallestrella | 5 | 2017 | Volume 4: Realm of the Jaquins (All shorts): August 7, 2018 | ||
| Scepter Training with Zuzo | 5 | 2018 | |||
| Special features | |||||
| Volume 1: Ready to Rule (Region 1): 'Projection scepter' Volume 2: Elena and the Secret of Avalor (Region 1): 'Jaquin mobile', and 'Music video: "My Time"' Volume 3: Celebrations to Remember (Region 1): 'Elena locket' | |||||
In the UK, Disney released the first DVD, Elena of Avalor: Ready to Rule in English on 30 January 2017.
A second DVD called, Elena And The Secret of Avalor, was released on 17 July 2017.
A third and final DVD Disney released in the UK was called, Elena of Avalor: Celebrations to Remember, on 5 February 2018.
Disney has NOT released the 4th DVD called A Realm of the Jacquins in Region 2 in the UK, since the Elena of Avalor: Celebrations to Remember DVD came out on 5 February 2018.
| Season | DVD Title | Episode Count | Aspect Ratio | Total running time | Release Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Elena of Avalor: Ready to Rule (Episodes are: First Day Of Rule / Model Sister, All Heated Up, & Island of Youth)" | 4 | 16:9 | 87 Minutes | 30 January 2017 | |
| "Elena And The Secret of Avalor (Episodes are: Elena and the Secret of Avalor', 'Spellbound', 'Finders Leapers', 'Prince Too Charming', and 'Royal Retreat)" | 5 | 16:9 | 2 hours and 28 Minutes | 17 July 2017 | ||
| "Elena of Avalor: Celebrations to Remember (Episodes are: "A Day to Remember", "Navidad", "King of the Carnaval", "My Fair Naomi", "Crystal in the Rough", & "Captain Turner Returns")" | 6 | 16:9 | 2 hours and 10 Minutes | 5 February 2018 | ||
The series received generally positive reception. Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media described the series protagonist, Elena, as a "spunky Latina-inspired princess" and said she is an "excellent role model". She said that while a few scenes might be "scary for youngsters" there are strong themes of "friendship, family relationships...honesty, fairness, and kindness" and called the series funny and heartwarming. She additionally argued that the show's incorporation of Latin influences was a "welcome change in kids' programming".[16]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 44th Annie Awards | Best Animated TV/Broadcast for Children's Audience | Episode: "A Day to Remember" | [17] | |
| Writers Guild of America Awards | Animation | Craig Gerber (episode: "First Day of Rule") | [18] | ||
| National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Awards | Outstanding Animated Series | Craig Gerber and Silvia Olivas | Craig Gerber and Silvia Olivas | [19] | |
| 2018 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film) | Yvette Nicole Brown | [20] | |
| 45th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special | Jennifer Trujillo and Brian Mathias | [21] [22] | ||
| 2019 | 46th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series | Craig Gerber, Pilar Flynn, Elliot M. Bour and Silvia Cardenas Olivas | [23] [24] | |
| Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program | Steve Buscemi, as Saloso: The Tides of Change | ||||
| Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special | Jennifer Trujillo and David H. Wright III | ||||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animation Program | Robert Poole II, Robbi Smith, David Bonilla, J. Lampinen, Chris Coyne and Rich Danhakl | rowspan="4" | |||
| Outstanding Music Direction And Composition | Tony Morales | ||||
| Outstanding Original Song in a Children's or Animated Program | "Fallin' Like a Rock": A Lava Story | ||||
| 2020 | 47th Annie Awards | Best TV/Media- Preschool | "Changing of The Guard" | [25] | |
| NAMIC Vision Awards | Animation | Elena of Avalor | |||
| 2020 | 47th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Special Class Animated Program | Craig Gerber, Silvia Olivas, Elliot Bour, Pilar Flynn for Elena of Avalor: The Magic Within | [26] | |
| Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated Program | Elliot Bour, Craig Gerber, Nathan Chew, Robb Pratt and Sam Riegel | ||||
| Outstanding Casting for an Animated Series or Special | David Wright, Jennifer Trujillo and Tatiana Bull | ||||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Preschool Animation Program | Melissa Ellis and Fil Brown | rowspan="2" | |||
| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Preschool Animation Program | Robert Poole II, Robbi Smith, David Bonilla and J. Lampinen | ||||
| Outstanding Music Direction And Composition | Tony Morales | rowspan="2" | |||
| Outstanding Original Song in a Children's, Young Adult or Animated Program | John Kavanaugh, Craig Gerber and Jeffrey M. Howard for Movin' on Up: "Never Leave" | ||||
| Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program | Craig Gerber, Silvia Cardenas Olivas, Kate Kondell, Tom Rogers, Rachel Ruderman and Cameron Baity | rowspan="2" | |||
| 2021 | 48th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program | Mark Hamill as Vuli: Coronation Day | [27] | |
| Patrick Warburton as Grand Macaw: Coronation Day | |||||
| Outstanding Casting for a Animated Program | David Wright, Jennifer Trujillo and Tatiana Bull | ||||
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Preschool, Children's, or Animated Program | Tony Morales | rowspan="3" | |||
| Outstanding Original Song in a Children's, Young Adult, or Animated Program | "Something in the Air": Sweetheart's Day | ||||
| Outstanding Writing for a Preschool Animated Program | Craig Gerber, Silvia Cardenas Olivas, Kate Kondell, Tom Rogers, Rachel Ruderman and Cameron Baity |