Disney’s hugely popular Princess brand is about to get even more lucrative with the introduction of its first Hispanic princess. Next year Disney will introduce Elena of Avalor on an episode of its Disney Junior preschool series Sofia the First. (The Disney studio has denied that Sofia herself is a Hispanic character, even though the show’s producer has said so publicly.)
Following her guest appearance on Sofia, Elena will spin off into her own series on Disney Junior, also launching in 2016. The series will be targeted at toddlers and children ages 2-7. “What excites us most,” says Disney Junior exec Nancy Kanter, “is the chance to use distinctive animation and visual design to tell wonderful stories influenced by culture and traditions that are familiar to the worldwide population of Hispanic and Latino families and reflect the interests and aspirations of all children as told through a classic fairy tale.”
