Oh, myyy.
They had me at George Takei, when I saw that he'd be featured as the voice of King Toshi. That's worth the price of admission by itself.
But more meaningful for your impressionable kiddies is that Disney will soon have its first "Latina princess" to adore (and sell Halloween costumes and oodles of unnecessary plastic objects depicting).
Elena of Avalor (pronounced a-LAY-nuh) arrives at 6 p.m. Friday on Disney Channel with a one-hour show.
The series is set in the enchanted fairy-tale land of Avalor and tells the saga of "a brave and adventurous teenager who has saved her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen."
And because Disney always has an eye toward the educational (right?), the press material proclaims, "Elena's journey will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders."
There is also an international educational flair, since the stories will incorporate influences from Latin and Hispanic cultures through architecture, traditions, food and customs.
This being Disney, magic, mythology, folklore and music will also play an important role, with each episode featuring original songs from an array of Latin musical styles, including mariachi, Latin pop, salsa, banda and Chilean hip-hop.
What can we expect?
In the first episode, 16-year-old Elena officially becomes crown princess and rescues her younger sister, Isabel, from the Noblins. Those are elf-like shapeshifting creatures based on a Chilean peuchen myth.
See? It is educational. The peuchen is a much feared creature from the Mapuche and Chilote mythology of southern Chile that can instantly change into animal form.
The episode also introduces Zuzo (Keith Ferguson), Elena's spirit guide in the animal world. Zuzo is based on the belief of a Mayan tribe in southern Mexico.
In the second episode, "Model Sister," Elena is torn between a promise she made to help Isabel and fulfilling her royal duties.
The cast features some notable Hispanic talent. Aimee Carrero (Young & Hungry) stars as the voice of Elena, and Jenna Ortega (Jane the Virgin) is Princess Isabel.
Here are the other main characters.
• Migs, Luna and Skylar (Chris Parnell, Yvette Nicole Brown, Carlos Alazraqui). These are three magical flying creatures called Jaquins who help Elena as she learns how to rule Avalor.
• Francisco (Emiliano Diez), Elena's grandfather.
• Luisa (Julia Vera), Elena's grandmother.
• Duke Esteban (Christian Lanz), Elena's uncle and chancellor of Avalor.
• Naomi (Jillian Rose Reed), Elena's best friend.
• Mateo (Joseph Haro), a wizard-in-training and close friend of Elena.
• Gabe (Jorge Diaz), Elena's friend and member of the Royal Guard.
• Armando (Joe Nunez), a befuddled palace servant.
• Prince Alonso (Tyler Posey), a charming prince (naturally) of the Argentine-inspired Kingdom of Cordoba.
Recurring cast members include Constance Marie as Dona Paloma, magister of the traders guild; Lou Diamond Phillips as debonair villain Victor Delgado; Lucas Grabeel as Jiku, the leader of the Noblins; and Echo Kellum as Elena's friend, King Joaquin from the Caribbean-inspired Kingdom of Cariza.
Takei will voice the monarch from the Japanese-inspired Kingdom of Satu.
Brace yourself for the commercial onslaught. The series, which is rated TV-Y, is already incorporated into the well-oiled Disney machine. Princess Elena will begin appearing at Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, Fla.) this summer and at Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, Calif.) in the fall.
Princess Elena joins (in alphabetical order) Ariel, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Merida, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Snow White and Tiana.
There will be Elena print and e-book titles from Disney Publishing, and Elena dolls, role-play products, accessories, home decor and apparel from the Disney Store this month and at other retailers throughout the summer.
Sample Disneystore.com prices: Elena costume, $45+; Elena scepter (with lights and sound), $20; and doe-eyed Elena doll, $17.
Demonstrating global outreach, following Friday's debut the series will roll out worldwide in 33 languages in 163 countries on assorted Disney channels.
Finally, this fall Disney Channel will air a special TV movie titled Elena and the Secret of Avalor, which explains how Elena was imprisoned in her magical amulet and eventually set free by Princess Sofia of Enchancia.
Style on 07/17/2016