The Muppets surprised fans with an unexpected Christmas gift on Christmas Eve by sharing social media videos featuring characters that haven’t been seen in years, causing a surge of excitement online. Miss Piggy appeared in two separate videos posted on The Muppets’ official YouTube channel and the Disney Vacation Club Instagram, accompanied by Rizzo the Rat and Bean Bunny. This is particularly significant because neither Rizzo nor Bean has had speaking roles since their original performer, Steve Whitmire, left The Muppets in 2016, leaving fans wondering if these beloved characters would ever return.
The fan response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. People shared the videos widely, celebrated the return of these characters, and expressed genuine excitement about Rizzo and Bean being back. This enthusiasm highlights an important point: fans still deeply care about The Muppets and genuinely want to see these characters in new productions and at Disney Parks. This makes it frustrating to note that Disney Parks is currently demolishing Muppets Courtyard at Hollywood Studios to make way for a Monsters, Inc. attraction, while relegating The Muppets to a spot in the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster as a sort of consolation prize.
What Happened in the Videos With The Muppets
The first video on The Muppets’ YouTube channel features Miss Piggy, currently performed by Eric Jacobson, alongside Rizzo the Rat delivering a Christmas Eve greeting. Rizzo first appeared in season 4 of The Muppet Show and became a fan favorite through movies such as The Muppet Christmas Carol. His absence since 2016 was noticeable to longtime fans who cherished the character.
The second video, posted on the Disney Vacation Club’s Instagram, shows Miss Piggy with Bean Bunny. Bean was created for the 1986 Jim Henson Easter special, The Tale of the Bunny Picnic, and he also appeared in The Muppet Christmas Carol and “MuppetVision 3D” at Disney Parks. Like Rizzo, Bean has been missing from Muppet productions for years.
Puppeteer Bradley Freeman Jr. confirmed on his Instagram that he will be taking over the performances of both Rizzo and Bean going forward. The decision by Disney to recast these characters instead of retiring them suggests that The Muppets Studio values keeping the full roster of Muppet personalities active.
Why This Matters for The Muppets
The Muppets work best when you have the whole ensemble. Each character brings their own personality to the chaos and humor. Losing Rizzo and Bean for nearly a decade created gaps that fans immediately noticed when the characters returned. The excited response to these simple Christmas videos proves people haven’t forgotten these characters and genuinely want to see them.
This matters because it shows The Muppets maintain a devoted fanbase that Disney should be capitalizing on instead of minimizing. When fans celebrate seeing Rizzo and Bean with this much genuine enthusiasm, it signals the franchise has value that deserves proper treatment.
The Disney Parks Disaster
Here’s where it gets frustrating. While fans are celebrating The Muppets on social media, Disney Parks is actively reducing its presence. Muppets Courtyard at Hollywood Studios is getting demolished for the Monsters Inc. expansion. MuppetVision 3D, which has been operating since 1991 and was one of the last projects Jim Henson worked on before his death, is closing so The Muppets can take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Some fans are happy The Muppets are getting a major attraction instead of disappearing completely. However, the overall trajectory feels like a retreat, rather than an expansion. Muppets Courtyard gave the characters a dedicated, visible space. Moving to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster eliminates that in exchange for one attraction that might just be the characters slapped onto existing coaster infrastructure.
Choosing to dedicate land to Monsters Inc. while repurposing The Muppets into a new attraction sends a clear message about which franchises Disney values. Monsters Inc. has fans and commercial success, but The Muppets represent a unique property with decades of history and multigenerational appeal. The decision to prioritize Monsters Inc. feels like Disney is seriously undervaluing what The Muppets could contribute with proper investment.
What Should Happen Next With The Muppets
The Christmas Eve video response proves The Muppets have passionate fans eager to engage with these characters. Simple greeting videos generating this much excitement and celebration show audiences care and want more Muppet content.
Disney Parks should recognize this and give The Muppets the presence that matches their cultural significance. Instead of eliminating Muppets Courtyard and consolidating into one repurposed ride, Disney should invest in a dedicated Muppets area that properly celebrates these characters. The franchise deserves better than being treated like a secondary property that gets shuffled around whenever Disney wants space for other stuff.
Bradley Freeman Jr., taking over Rizzo and Bean, shows The Muppets Studio understands the value of maintaining the full character roster. Disney Parks should demonstrate a similar commitment by ensuring The Muppets have a prominent and sustainable presence that honors the franchise while introducing new characters to new generations.
The Bottom Line
The internet is going crazy over Miss Piggy, Rizzo, and Bean proving The Muppets deserve more at Disney Parks, not less. Fans clearly want these characters featured prominently. Whether Disney recognizes this and acts accordingly will determine whether the franchise maintains a meaningful park presence or continues to fade, despite the apparent evidence that audiences want precisely the opposite.
