August 28: Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009)

Milestone Years

15th Anniversary: August 28, 2024
20th Anniversary: August 28, 2029
25th Anniversary: August 28, 2034

Inspiration Behind the Movie

This Disney Channel Original Movie grew from the beloved “Wizards of Waverly Place” series, aiming to continue the Russo family’s magical story in a fresh, fun-filled narrative. It explored Alex’s impulsive wish for high-stakes, heartfelt consequences that only magic—and love—could fix.

You Might Not Know

The film premiered on the Disney Channel on August 28, 2009, drawing 11.4 million viewers—making it the second-most-watched DCOM premiere ever at that time.
It won the 2010 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program.
Principal photography took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, including at the Caribe Hilton Hotel and historic El Morro fortress.
Jennifer Stone (Harper) has a much smaller role in the film compared to the TV series, appearing mostly at the beginning.
The DVD “Extended Edition,” released on December 15, 2009, included a replica of the magical Stone of Dreams in a necklace.

Food Ideas

**Caribbean-inspired fruit platter**, featuring pineapple, mango, and coconut—nod to the movie’s tropical setting.
**Wizard wand pretzels** dipped in colorful candy melts—magical snack for all ages.
**”Stone of Dreams” jelly candies**, glittery and colorful to mimic the enchanted gem.
**Magic-themed cupcakes**, with star-shaped toppers and edible glitter.
**Familia pizza**, a shareable pizza topped with “family” ingredients like sausage, peppers, and onions to celebrate togetherness.

Ways to Celebrate

Host a **”witch and wizard” dress‑up party**, inviting friends to come as Alex, Justin, or other magical characters.
Organize a **movie‑and‑magic night**: watch the film back‑to‑back with the “What’s What Edition” featuring behind‑the‑scenes footage.
DIY **Stone of Dreams craft station**, where guests decorate their own “stones” using paint, gems, and glitter.
Play a **Russo family trivia game**—questions about the movie and series to test fans’ knowledge.
Create a **photo booth with magical props**: wands, wizard hats, and strings of lights for enchanted snapshots.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Highlights include the Caribbean resort setting at the **Caribe Hilton Hotel**, a dramatic cave sequence at **Cueva Ventana** in Arecibo, and a magical duel set at the historic **Castillo San Felipe del Morro** in Old San Juan. These picturesque locations helped bring the Russo family’s adventure to life—and many are still visitable today.