The special, executive-produced by, alongside series executive producers (who also co-wrote the special with ), centers on the Russos', Mason, and Harper's visit to Italy to meet long-lost relatives from Jerry's side of the family.
Main article: On September 27, 2012, Disney Channel announced that Wizards of Waverly Place would return for an hour-long special, that began production on October 22, 2012, and ended production on November 10, 2012, for a premiere telecast on the cable channel in early 2013.