Walt Disney Enterprises released this tween production to video rental and retail outlets Tuesday, September 22. This release is disappointing for the older kids, but for my 7-year-old granddaughter, Skyler, it’s great theater.

While the characters and the titles give the impression of a show that combines the Suite Life of Zack and Cody with the Wizards of Waverly Place and with the presence of teen-star Miley Cyrus (as Hannah Montana), it disappoints in that the DVD is an episode of each show which happens to take place on a cruise ship.

Any of the three segments could be watched as a stand-alone episode, but it’s a little disappointing that there’s not more interplay between the episodes. you never get all three casts on the screen at the same time.

Now, I am well aware that I'm not part of the Disney Channel demographic, and haven’t been part of the Disney Demographic since the 50s. But I experience it second-handedly through my younger grandkids. And judging from Skyler’s reaction, it’s good theater. In my opinion, the plot of this 68-minute, G-rated adventure is so convoluted and complicated it’s difficult to set-up. However, the intended audience never seems to notice this.

The success of Wizards on Deck is not measured by how well it will be remembered years from now, but by how many eyeballs were tuned in on the weekend it first ran and, just two months later,  how many wallets will open to purchase it.

By the first of those criteria, Disney has reason to celebrate. The crossover's initial airing attracted more viewers than any other cable broadcast that week, including Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby on ESPN. In fact, the 9.3 million average viewers made it cable's most-watched scripted telecast of 2009 and gave Disney Channel better ratings than all of the major networks that night.

And if my granddaughter’s reaction is any gauge, the DVD will fly off the shelves. As crossover shows go, Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana is a fun one, but bear in mind that the target audience is the seven-to-'tween age group.

Cast: Miley Cyrus (Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana), Dylan Sprouse (Zack Martin), Cole Sprouse (Cody Martin), Brenda Song (London Tipton), Selena Gomez (Alex Russo), David Henrie (Justin Russo), Emily Osment (Lilly Truscott/Lola Luftnagle), Phill Lewis (Marion Moseby), Debby Ryan (Bailey Pickett), Jake T. Austin (Max Russo), Billy Ray Cyrus (Robby Ray Stewart), Jason Earles (Jackson Stewart), Mitchel Musso (Oliver Oken), Jennifer Stone (Harper), Maria Canals Barrera (Theresa Russo), David DeLuise (Jerry Russo), Matthew Timmons (Woody Fink), Moises Arias (Rico), Windell D. Middlebrooks (Kirby), Justin Alston (Delivery Guy - uncredited) 

Synopsis (Courtesy of Walt Disney Home Entertainment ) Climb on board for fun on the high seas as three favorite Disney Channel shows come together in Wizards On Deck With Hannah Montana!

The S.S. TIPTON embarks on a triple-length comedy crossover event when Justin (David Henrie) wins a Teen Cruise to Hawaii—and a chance to meet London (Brenda Song). Both Justin and Max (Jake T. Austin) do their best to win the heiress’s affection, while Cody (Cody Sprouse) tries to win concert tickets for Bailey (Debby Ryan), and Alex (Selena Gomez) accuses Zack (Dylan Sprouse) of being a prankster. Between the kids’ pranks (who turned Justin blue?!) and crazy schemes (Alex sneaks Harper [Jennifer Stone] on board to take her make-up science class?!), the excitement goes overboard when international superstar Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) checks in on her way to a sold-out concert in Hawaii. But when Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) loses her lucky charm anklet and her Hannah wig, are her days as the world’s biggest pop star over forever? It’s all here in Wizards On Deck With Hannah Montana with three times the fun and triple the laughs. Plus, this new full-length adventure includes exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, hilarious cast bloopers and more! 

Bonus Features

• Justin’s Award-Winning Essay – Watch the essay video that got Justin and his siblings on the S.S. TIPTON Teen Cruise!

• It’s A Suite Life Having Fun With Hannah & The Wizards – Hilarious bloopers and backstage interviews with the stars!