D23 Spotlight Series: The Muppets and Iconic Props Take Center Stage from Walt Disney Archives – Images and Video. Rizzo the Rat as Mickey Mouse including Mickey Ears from Muppet*Vision 3D, The Muppet’s Robin (Kermit the Frog’s nephew), Figment Statue from Epcot Shops, the original Water and nozzles from Epcot’s Fountain of Nations, and the original chariot movie scene from the Rome section of Spaceship Earth, were all shown during the D23 Spotlight Series: Walt Disney Archives 55th Anniversary “Preserving the Magic 1970-2025”, here at Walt Disney World.
June 22nd, 2025, is the official 55th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Archives. Founded by Dave Smith in 1970, the Walt Disney Archives has only grown from the original 2200 or so items in the collection. The Walt Disney Archives now contains millions of items, and we got a chance to see some rarely displayed items during the event. Now run by Becky Cline, she was joined on stage by Kevin Kern and Steven Vaganini for the first part of the presentation at AMC 24 in Disney Springs.
The Muppets fans will be happy to see what we considered the main attraction, Robin the Frog actual muppet, and Rizzo the Rat’s Mickey Mouse costume from Muppet*Vision 3D, which recently closed here at Walt Disney World.
Muppet*Vision 3D Rizzo the Rat as Mickey Mouse
Muppet*Vision 3D Attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened on May 16, 1991. Sensational in-theater effects add to the impact of the 3-D film starring the Muppets. Sponsored by Kodak. It also opened in Disney California Adventure on February 8, 2001. Originally known as Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D.
During Muppet*Vision 3D’s preshow, Rizzo the Rat comes out to disturb Sam the Eagle dressed as Mickey Mouse. Sam Eagle is introducing Mickey Mouse to the audience. Rizzo, dressed as Mickey Mouse, attempts to fool Sam and the audience. Sam points out that Rizzo is a Rat, to which Rizzo replies, “Rat, schmat! Besides, they’re tourists. What do they know?” The best part of the outfit was seeing the tiny Mickey Ears, or as Kevin Kern said “Muppet sized Mickey Ears“.
Robin the Frog (The Muppets) – Robin is Kermit the Frog’s nephew, and depending on who you talk to, he was either muppeteered by Frank Oz, or by Jerry Nelson. Robin claim to fame was the song “Halfway up the Stairs” in which Frank Oz was on Muppet duty, while Jerry Nelson did the voice.
Epcot’s Fountain of Nations Nozzles and Bottled Water, Rome Chariot, and Figment Statue
Can we even talk about Epcot without mentioning the iconic Fountain of Nations? It could be argued that the fountain is almost as iconic to Epcot as Spaceship Earth–a trip to the park doesn’t feel complete without catching one of the fountain’s many daily performances.
Walt Disney Archives showed off some of the original bottled water: EPCOT – These waters will flow together as a symbol of the oneness of humankind and the hope for peace among nations, making this truly a fountain of world friendship.” Fountain of Nations dedication, October 24, 1982. Also on display were the original water nozzles.
Also shown was the video from Spaceship Earth, which was featured in the Rome scene in the attraction. The chariot comes into view from the left-hand side, turns in the center, and goes off into the sunset. Some folks may remember this as shown on the back wall of the Rome scene.
Lastly, from Epcot was a Figment statue that was seen in the original Journey into Imagination. Figment is holding a pot with gems and gold, like it is a pot of gold found at the end of a rainbow.
D23 Spotlight Series: The Muppets and Iconic Props Take Center Stage from Walt Disney Archives – Images and Video
Since 1970, the Walt Disney Archives has been collecting and preserving the history and magic of The Walt Disney Company. To celebrate this very special department’s 55th anniversary, D23 Gold Members are invited to an exclusive Archives presentation—including Archives director Becky Cline—at Walt Disney World Resort, diving into the department’s history, and how the group collaborates with partners across the company to safeguard and share the thousands of treasures in its historical collection.
