Plot Synopsis

ELENA OF AVALOR is a half-hour animated series that follows the story of Elena, a brave and adventurous teenager who saves her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Set in Avalor, an enchanted fairytale kingdom inspired by diverse Latin cultures and folklore, Elena's journey leads her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders. Since Elena is only 16 years old, she has a Grand Council comprised of her grandparents, older cousin Chancellor Esteban and new friend, Naomi to help give her advice along the way. Elena also looks to her younger sister Isabel, and her friends Mateo and Gabe for guidance and support. Elena learns to lead the kingdom with some magical friends by her side, including a trio of flying creatures called jaquins (half-bird/half jaguar). The kingdom of Avalor is filled with mystery and magic, which manifests itself in four primary ways: enchanted creatures, wizardry, glimpses into the spirit world, and the magic that Elena possesses from her time spent trapped inside an amulet. Elena carries a scepter of light, which wields various powers that she discovers throughout the series, including the ability to see the unseen. Additionally, Elena's best friend Mateo, a wizard-in-training, practices his spells using a tamborita, a wand inspired by the drums used by the Mapuche 'Machi' (shaman) in Chile. Created for kids age 2-11 and their families, Elena's stories contain valuable lessons for young viewers. Her adventures, decision-making abilities and fearlessness in standing up for herself and what she believes convey a standard of behavior for leaders. At the heart of the series is the universal theme surrounding the importance of friends and family; Elena sometimes struggles with balancing the needs of her loved ones while also considering what is best for the kingdom. Plus, each episode incorporates Latin and Hispanic cultures and traditions, as well as magic, mythology and folklore. The first episode, "First Day of Rule," features Noblins, elf-like shapeshifting creatures that are based on a Chilean peuchen myth; and introduces Zuzo, Elena's spirit guide, which is based on an idea from a Mayan tribe in southern Mexico that everyone has a spirit double in the animal world. In subsequent episodes, Elena and her family will celebrate Dia de los Muertos and Navidad, two of the most important holidays celebrated throughout Latin America and Spain. The Latin and Hispanic influences are also present through Avalor's architecture, music and food. Music also plays an important role in the series, with each episode featuring at least one new original song. There are many different Latin musical styles highlighted, including Mariachi, Latin Pop, Salsa, Banda and Chilean Hip Hop. The guest voice cast for Season 1 includes Tituss Burgess as Charoca, a magical volcano creature based on a Chilean myth; Ana Ortiz as Rafa, Mateo's mother; Ivonne Coll as Dona Angelica, an absent-minded and overly dramatic ghost; Hector Elizondo as Fiero, a wicked wizard; Odette Annable as Senorita Marisol, Isabel's enthusiastic young teacher; Danny Trejo as Antonio Agama, a popular Avaloran hero; Anthony Mendez as King Juan Ramon, a monarch from the Argentine-inspired Kingdom of Cordoba; Eden Espinosa as Orizaba, an evil moth fairy banished to the spirit world; Marsai Martin as Cat, a budding scientist and adventurer; Aasif Mandvi as King Raja, a monarch from the Indian-inspired Kingdom of Napurna; and George Takei as King Toshi, a monarch from the Japanese-inspired Kingdom of Satu.

On Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 9am ET/PT, Disney Channel premiered the second season of ELENA OF AVALOR. In the season opener, "The Jewel of Maru," on Dia de los Muertors, Elena meets a Maruvian ghost named Amalay who stands watch over the powerful Jewel of Maru. Genesis Rodriguez guest stars as the voice of Amalay.

Season 3 of ELENA OF AVALOR premiered on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 12:30pm ET/PT on Disney Channel. Princess Elena receives new magical powers and, keeping her focus on the future of Avalor, proves herself ready to become Queen -- but must first face the ultimate test of courage and character. Season 3 includes a Dia de los Muertos-themed event, guest-starring Eugenio Derbez and Taye Diggs, airing this October; a Hanukkah-themed episode, guest-starring Jamie-Lynn Sigler as a visiting princess from a Latino Jewish kingdom, airing in December; and Elena's royal coronation special airing in 2019. Guest stars for Season 3 also include Rachel Brosnahan; Tony Shalhoub; Auli'i Cravalho; John Leguizamo; Melissa Fumero; Stephanie Beatriz; Arturo Castro; Sofia Carson; Kether Donohue; Kate Micucci; Allen Maldonado; Gina Torres; Tovah Feldshuh; professional wrestler Roman Reigns; and Broadway stars Anthony Ramos, Andrea Martin, Olga Merediz and James Monroe Iglehart. In the season opener, "Sister of Invention," Isabel tries to prove she's old enough to join Elena and her team when they set off on a mission to track down escaped villains Ash and Carla. Tony Shalhoub guest stars as Zopilote, a powerful shape-shifting sorcerer.
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On Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 7pm Disney Junior and DisneyNow will premiere the series finale of ELENA OF AVALOR with an epic primetime coronation special titled "Elena of Avalor: Coronation Day." As plans for Elena's coronation are underway, Esteban's team of villains unleash legendary spirit misfits, the Four Shades of Awesome. In order to save her kingdom, her family and her friends, Elena must journey to the Spirit World and back, and face the ultimate test of her courage and character, before becoming queen. Jenny Slate, Mark Hamill, Fred Armisen and Andy Garcia guest star as the Four Shades of Awesome and Patrick Warburton voices Grand Macaw, ruler of the dark side of the Spirit World. New episodes leading up to the finale will debut every Sunday, beginning July 26 at 5pm ET/PT. All episodes premiere on Disney Junior and DisneyNow.

The series stars Aimee Carrero as the voice of Princess Elena; Jenna Ortega as Princess Isabel; Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown and Carlos Alazraqui as jaquins Migs, Luna and Skylar, respectively; Emiliano Diez as Francisco; Julia Vera as Luisa; Christian Lanz as Chancellor Esteban; Jillian Rose Reed as Naomi; Joseph Haro as Mateo; Jorge Diaz as Gabe; Keith Ferguson as Zuzo; and Joe Nunez as Armando.

The finale also features returning guest voice cast members Constance Marie, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jaime Camil, Justina Machado, Gina Rodriguez, Mario Lopez, Rachel Brosnahan, Tony Shalhoub, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, John Leguizamo, Cheech Marin, Whoopi Goldberg, Cloris Leachman, Chrissie Fit, Tyler Posey, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Kether Donohue, Nestor Carbonell, Andrea Navedo, Eden Espinosa, Ana Ortiz, Gina Torres and Gaby Moreno, who also sings the series' theme song.

Creator and executive producer Craig Gerber said, "It has been a tremendous honor for me to bring Disney's first Latina princess to the screen. Everyone involved with 'Elena of Avalor,' from the creative team to the unbelievable cast and crew, felt the responsibility to get this right. We created the character of Elena with the hope that she would be a role model, not just for young Latina girls watching, but for all children to be able to see what a true leader looks like. From the beginning, Elena's story arc has been that she would one day become queen. With the series finale, the creative team has been able to bring Elena's story to the thrilling conclusion that we always envisioned. I can't wait for viewers to see the final chapter in Elena's epic adventure."