You've probably spent hours wandering around the Plaza. If you're a Disney Dreamlight Valley veteran, you know that some quests just hit differently. Music on the Wall Dreamlight Valley is one of those moments where the game shifts from a simple gathering sim to something that feels a bit more like a classic Disney movie. It’s the quest that finally brings Sebastian—the iconic, slightly stressed-out crab from The Little Mermaid—into your Valley. Honestly, it’s about time.
But it isn't just about clicking through dialogue.
Getting this quest to actually trigger involves a bit of a process. You can't just expect Sebastian to show up because you want him to. You have to work for it. Usually, this starts after you’ve progressed far enough with Ariel and Eric. If you’re stuck wondering why the "Music on the Wall" quest isn't appearing, it's almost always a friendship level bottleneck. Check your relationships. If you aren't at level 4 or higher with the core Little Mermaid cast, the game just keeps the music paused.
How to Kickstart Music on the Wall Dreamlight Valley
The quest starts with a conversation. You'll talk to Ariel. She’s worried about Sebastian. He’s been missing the rhythm of the ocean, or something equally poetic and Disney-like. Basically, he needs a reason to stay in the Valley.
First, you're going to need to build him something. This is where the "Wall" part of the title comes in. You aren't literally putting music on a wall, but you are creating a space for it. The game asks you to gather materials that feel very "under the sea" but are actually just the standard grind items you’ve come to know and love (or hate).
The Material Grind
You’re going to need a lot of Fiber. And Softwood. These are the basics. But the real kicker? The Emeralds.
✨ Don't miss: Why This Link to the Past GBA Walkthrough Still Hits Different Decades Later
I’ve seen people spend way too much time mining in the wrong spots. If you need Emeralds for this quest, stay in the Forest of Valor or the Glade of Trust. Don't bother with the Plaza or the Peaceful Meadow. It’s a waste of energy. Bring a mining companion. Seriously. If you don't bring a buddy who has the mining specialty, you're just leaving gems on the table, and Emeralds can be stingy.
- Fiber: 20 (Crafted from Seaweed)
- Softwood: 50 (Scattered everywhere, literally)
- Emeralds: 2 (Mining nodes in Forest of Valor/Glade of Trust)
Once you have these, you head to your crafting station. You're making the Sebastian's Podium. It looks exactly like you’d expect—a little wooden stand where a crab can conduct a full orchestra of fish. It’s cute. It’s very Disney.
Putting the Music Together
After you craft the podium, the quest "Music on the Wall Dreamlight Valley" takes a turn toward the social. You have to place the podium near the water. Most people put it on Dazzle Beach. It makes the most sense. Why would you put a crab in the Sunlit Plateau? You could, but it feels wrong.
Once the podium is placed, Sebastian finally makes his grand entrance. He’s small. He’s bright red. And he’s loud.
There's a specific interaction here that catches people off guard. You have to take a photo. In the world of Dreamlight Valley, if you didn't take a selfie with the new resident, did they even actually move in? Probably not. Make sure you have your camera tool ready. You'll need to capture Sebastian at his podium to progress the quest.
🔗 Read more: All Barn Locations Forza Horizon 5: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Sound Matters
A lot of players play this game on mute while watching Netflix. Don’t do that during this quest. The sound design for Sebastian’s arrival is actually pretty great. Gameloft spent some time making sure the musical cues felt authentic to the 1989 film. It’s a nice touch of nostalgia in a game that sometimes feels like a giant to-do list.
Troubleshooting the Common Bugs
Let’s be real. This game has bugs. Sometimes "Music on the Wall" just... stops.
One common issue is the "Podium Placement" bug. If you place the podium too close to other furniture or too far from the shoreline, the quest marker won't update. If you’re standing there with a podium and Sebastian is nowhere to be found, try moving the podium. Give it some breathing room. The game’s collision boxes can be finicky.
Another thing? Make sure Eric is actually available. If he’s sleeping in his castle, you might have to wait. The NPCs in this game have schedules, and if the quest requires a "gathering" of characters, it won't trigger if one of them is taking a nap. It’s annoying, but it’s part of the Valley life.
The Role of Eric and Ariel
You can’t talk about Music on the Wall Dreamlight Valley without talking about the couple of the century. This quest is effectively the bridge that makes their house feel like a home. Before this, they’re just kind of existing. Adding Sebastian completes the trio.
💡 You might also like: When Was Monopoly Invented: The Truth About Lizzie Magie and the Parker Brothers
It’s interesting to note that this quest also unlocks further friendship rewards. Once Sebastian is settled, you start seeing more musical-themed furniture appearing in Scrooge’s Shop. Is it a coincidence? Maybe. But usually, the game’s "hidden" RNG pools tend to favor items related to the characters you’ve recently helped.
Actionable Steps for Completion
If you want to breeze through this without losing your mind, follow this specific order. Don't try to wing it.
- Check Friendship Levels: Ensure Ariel and Eric are both at least Level 4. If they aren't, go give them some flowers or shiny rocks.
- Pre-Farm Seaweed: Don't wait for the quest to tell you to get Fiber. Start fishing in the open water (not the ripples) to get Seaweed now. You'll need it for the 20 Fiber.
- The Emerald Hunt: Head to the Forest of Valor. Use a Miracle Pickaxe Polish if you’re in a rush. It guarantees gems and makes the Emerald hunt take two minutes instead of twenty.
- Placement is Key: When you get the podium, place it on the sand at Dazzle Beach. Avoid putting it on the grass or near the stairs to the Forest.
- The Photo Op: Don't just take a photo of the podium. Make sure Sebastian is actually in the frame. The quest logic requires his character model to be present for the "memory" to trigger.
Once the music starts playing and the quest wraps up, you'll have Sebastian as a permanent fixture. He doesn't take up a "resident" slot in the way the larger characters do, but he adds a lot of life to the beach area. Plus, his daily conversations are some of the funniest in the game. He’s perpetually stressed about "the prince" and "the sea," which is a mood most of us can relate to.
There is no "Ultimate" reward here, but you do get a solid chunk of Friendship XP and a sense of completion for the Little Mermaid arc. It sets the stage for the later-game musical quests that involve Stitch and the other more chaotic residents. If you haven't finished this yet, go check your quest log. You're probably just one Emerald away from finishing it.
Next Steps for Your Valley:
- Check your crafting bench to see if you have the "Sebastian's Podium" recipe unlocked.
- Travel to the Forest of Valor with a Mining Companion to secure the two Emeralds needed.
- Verify that Prince Eric is awake and not inside his house before trying to trigger the final cutscene.
- Clear a 4x4 space on Dazzle Beach near the water to ensure the podium placement goes smoothly without collision errors.