A comprehensive step-by-step guide to unlocking Disney’s original cartoon star in Disney Dreamlight Valley
Introduction: Welcoming Disney’s Original Star
Disney Dreamlight Valley’s A Rift in Time expansion has introduced Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s earliest cartoon creation before Mickey Mouse. This guide provides the complete roadmap to adding this historical character to your village.
While Oswald’s arrival brings excitement, unlocking him presents a multi-layered challenge that requires strategic planning and completion of numerous prerequisites. Understanding the full scope of requirements from the beginning will save you hours of frustration.
The Thrills & Frills update introduced Act 2 of the Expansion Pass storyline, with Oswald serving as a central figure in The Spark of Imagination narrative arc. Players must navigate through seven interconnected quests, each with unique requirements and time gates.
This process isn’t immediately intuitive—the game provides minimal hints about the extensive quest chain involved. Many players stumble at various points, particularly during crafting requirements or waiting periods. We’ll break down each phase with practical strategies to optimize your progress.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Before attempting to unlock Oswald, ensure you’ve met these essential requirements:
Common Mistake Alert: Many players attempt to begin Oswald’s questline prematurely. The game won’t trigger Merlin’s initial quest until you’ve completed the Cave of Wonders sequence. If you’re not seeing the “Meet with Merlin in his Library” prompt, revisit Eternity Isle’s main objectives.
Optimization Tip: Before starting, stockpile common crafting materials like Copper, Coal, and basic gems. You’ll need substantial quantities for various quests, and having them ready will eliminate unnecessary foraging delays.
Phase 1: The Sunken Ruins Quest
Your journey begins with Merlin’s research quest. Visit him at his library after receiving the “Meet with Merlin” notification—this triggers automatically after meeting prerequisites but may require waiting 1-2 in-game days.
Merlin will task you with collecting 10 Flickers, magical fragments of the Spark of Imagination. Use your Hourglass at these locations:
After collecting all Flickers, return to Merlin who will guide you to the Ancient Ruins on Eternity Isle’s western edge. The Flickers create a bridge allowing entry.
Inside, photograph the North, West, and East chambers. Merlin reveals these correspond to EVE, Gaston, and Rapunzel respectively, completing The Sunken Ruins and unlocking three character-specific quests plus Merlin’s coordinating quest.
Efficiency Note: Complete Rapunzel’s All the Right Notes first since it involves growing crops with a 20-minute wait time. You can work on other quests during this period.
Phase 2: Helping the Trio (Rapunzel, Gaston, EVE)
These three quests can be completed in any order but have specific requirements:
All the Right Notes (Rapunzel):
Find Mother Gothel’s Recipe in Rapunzel’s Tower between bed and wardrobe. You’ll need to:
Hero Pose (Gaston):
Cook Golden Omelette with ingredients from Cave of Wonders gold piles:
Does Not Compute (EVE):
Follow EVE’s treasure map to collect five artifacts:
Repair Ancient Processor at Timebending Table with artifacts plus 25 Timebending Parts (use Hourglass anywhere). Then photograph items in EVE’s house and craft Universal Adapter with: Oasis Glass (dig Glittering Dunes), Plastic Scrap (fish or dig rubble), Copper, Mechanical Parts (1 Brass + 1 Bronze Ingot).
Advanced Player Tip: Complete EVE’s quest while waiting for Rapunzel’s crops. The artifact locations are fixed, so you can efficiently route your collection path.
Phase 3: A Bit of Help From Your Friends
With all three character quests complete, return to Ancient Ruins and speak to Merlin to begin the coordination phase.
Assign EVE, Gaston, and Rapunzel to their chambers. Help EVE first by finding three Ancient Power Coils stuck in rocks:
Place coils in sockets, step on pressure plate behind EVE.
Gaston’s Section: He’ll upgrade your Pickaxe to clear rubble. Clear two additional pressure plates, place Shiny LeFou on one, stand on the other.
Rapunzel’s Section: Clear rubble left of puzzle to reveal musical note clue. Move three notes up staff to match picture, stand on nearby pressure plate.
Finally, stand on the last pressure plate to open the trap door, completing this phase.
Common Pitfall: Players often miss the musical note clue under the rubble. If the melody puzzle seems impossible, double-check you’ve cleared all debris in Rapunzel’s area.
Phase 4: The Spark of Imagination
After cutscenes, you’ll meet Oswald but must help him reach the Spark through platforming puzzles.
Clear rubble left of Oswald for Emerald Sliver, place in console with missing lever.
First Wheel Platform: Craft Question Mark Wheel at Timebending Table with Oswald’s Question Mark and 3 Flying Gears (floating black-and-white gears near Oswald and entrance stairs). Fix wheel, rotate bridge.
Second Wheel Platform: Repeat process—recipe identical. Question Mark is beside Oswald this time. Use first fixed wheel to reach Flying Gears and Timebending Table.
Third Platform: Clear rubble for Oswald’s Horn, place on pedestal. Noise drops Exclamation Mark, combine with broken console as lever.
Rotate platform, climb stairs to Spark. Cutscene reveals “Merlin” is actually Jafar in disguise! Exit ruins for additional cutscenes and new quests.
Strategy Note: Flying Gears respawn if lost. Don’t panic if you miss one—they’ll reappear within minutes.
Phase 5: Oswald’s Many Dimensions Friendship Quest
With Oswald now wandering Eternity Isle, begin his friendship quest to make him a permanent villager.
Step 1: Dress Like Oswald – Wear:
Step 2: Collect 8 Black or White Flowers – Acceptable types:
Pro Tip: Black Glass-Like Flowers spawn most reliably in The Docks area. White varieties are more common in The Overlook and Promenade.
Step 3: Break Communication Barrier – Find Oswald under Docks waterfall, use Pickaxe on literal barrier wall.
Step 4: Build Oswald’s House – Craft Oswaldian Pencil at Crafting Station:
Equip pencil as accessory via Wardrobe (easily missed—it’s not a tool).
Place house plot, then purchase 3D Glasses from Scrooge’s Shop (1,050 Coins). Wear glasses, interact with house sign to complete construction and officially unlock Oswald as a villager!
Common Frustration: Many players miss that the Oswaldian Pencil must be equipped as an accessory, not just crafted. Check your Wardrobe’s Accessory section if you can’t proceed.
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After Unlocking Oswald: He functions like other villagers with daily conversations, favorite gifts, and friendship levels. His unique animations pay homage to his 1920s cartoon origins. Level his friendship for exclusive Oswald-themed furniture and clothing rewards.
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