You’ve probably spent hours decorating your valley, but nothing quite prepares you for the moment the "A Rift in Time" expansion literally drains the color out of your world. Getting to The Now and Then Disney Dreamlight Valley quest is basically the grand finale of Jafar's chaotic storyline on Eternity Isle. It's weird, it's black and white, and honestly, if you don't know where to look, it’s remarkably easy to get stuck staring at a grey palm tree for twenty minutes.
This isn't just another "fetch five clay" quest. It's the culmination of everything you've done in the DLC. You’re trapped on a mysterious monochrome island with a version of Mickey who can't stop glitching into his 1928 Steamboat Willie self.
Finding the Projector and Getting Started
Once Jafar boots you out of the palace and you land on the island, the world turns into a classic cartoon. It’s cool for about five seconds until you realize you have no idea how to leave.
First thing’s first: find Mickey. He’s usually hanging out at the highest point of this small, circular island. Talk to him. He’ll mention a "funny-lookin' projector." You’ll find this right near him on the ground. Pick it up and hand it over. This triggers a rift that lets you see Jafar’s throne room, but you can’t exactly jump through it yet. You need a way to fly.
Hunting for the Three Lost Items
Mickey gets this wild idea to build a makeshift flying machine out of junk. You need three specific items scattered around this grey wasteland. Because everything is the same shade of "old TV," they’re kind of a pain to spot.
1. Gaston’s Ship (in a Bottle)
Go to the shoreline. You’ll see some ripples in the water—standard fishing stuff. Cast your line and pull out a Chest Key.
Now, don't just stand there. Look for a massive rock blocking a small cave opening near the base of the hill (right below where Mickey is). Smash it with your pickaxe. Inside is a chest. Use that key you just fished up, and boom: you’ve got the ship.
2. The Hot Dog Kart
This one is back up the hill. Look opposite the area where the projector was sitting. There’s another breakable rock. Smash it, and you’ll see a handle poking out of the dirt. Switch to your shovel and dig it up. It’s Mickey’s iconic hot dog roaster, though it looks more like a hunk of scrap metal in this lighting.
3. Rapunzel’s Lantern
Head back toward the spot where you first spawned on the island. There are some rocks near the portal entrance (look for the ones with the little chameleon, Pascal, sitting on top). Smash the rocks with your pickaxe to claim the lantern.
The Final Showdown with Jafar
Once you have the loot, go back to Mickey. A cutscene will trigger where you basically MacGyver a flying boat. You’ll soar through the rift and land right in Jafar’s face.
The encounter isn't a traditional "boss fight" with health bars. It's more of a puzzle-based confrontation. You have to use your hourglass tool to interact with the environment while Jafar tries to stay one step ahead. Eventually, you’ll trick him into his own lamp. It’s a classic Disney move.
After he’s bottled up, make sure you actually pick up the lamp. I’ve seen people almost leave the room without it. You also need to grab the Spark of Imagination from the pedestal.
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Why This Quest Matters for Your Valley
Completing The Now and Then Disney Dreamlight Valley is the "end" of the Act III story, but it’s actually the beginning of your endgame content for Eternity Isle.
Merlin will meet you outside the palace. You’ll have a heart-to-heart about the Spark. You decide to share its power, which effectively "cures" Mickey of his glitching and restores the balance. More importantly, this is what finally lets you unlock Jafar as a villager later on. You can't just leave him in the lamp forever; he’s got blueprints to give you.
Actionable Steps for After the Credits
Don't just turn off the game once the credits roll. There are a few things you should do immediately to make the most of your post-expansion life:
- Check the Palace Entrance: Go back to where you finished the quest. You'll find a 2D-looking item on the ground. Picking this up starts "The Lesser Evil," which is the quest chain to actually bring Jafar into your village.
- Visit the Timebending Table: Now that the Spark is "shared," you'll find new recipes and upgrades available. Check if you have enough Mist to finally max out your Hourglass.
- Talk to Oswald: If you haven't finished his friendship quests yet, the resolution of the Spark storyline often clears up some of the "world-state" requirements for his later missions.
- Look for the Post-Credits Teaser: If you skipped the credits, you might have missed a very brief scene hinting at the next expansion. It's worth a quick YouTube search if you're curious about who's coming next (hint: it looks a bit "villainous").
Basically, the island was just a detour. The real work starts now that you have the Spark under control and a genie lamp sitting in your inventory.