Complete Out Of The Blue Quest DDV Guide March 2026
When I first entered the Long Term Memory area during the Out Of The Blue quest in Disney Dreamlight Valley, I immediately knew this would be one of those memorable gaming moments. The vibrant colors, the intricate puzzle mechanics, and the emotional storytelling all came together in a way that reminded me why I love this game so much. After spending a good hour figuring out the routing controls and hunting down those elusive music notes, I’ve compiled everything you need to complete this quest efficiently.
Quick Answer: To complete the Out Of The Blue quest in Disney Dreamlight Valley, you need to: 1) Complete the Emotional Rescue quest prerequisite, 2) Take the elevator to Long Term Memory, 3) Configure flippers using four specific combinations (Left-Center-Right, Right-Left-Center, Center-Right-Left, Right-Right-Left), 4) Collect all 4 music notes from different memory sections, and 5) Return to Sadness to receive 1000 Dreamlight plus exclusive Inside Out decorations.
The Out Of The Blue quest is the second major story quest in the Inside Out realm, unlocked after completing the Emotional Rescue quest. It focuses on helping Sadness retrieve important memories while navigating the complex Long Term Memory system. What makes this quest particularly challenging is the combination of puzzle-solving, exploration, and collection mechanics that require both patience and strategy.
In my experience playing through Disney Dreamlight Valley’s various updates, the Inside Out content stands out for its clever integration of the movie’s concepts into gameplay mechanics. The Out Of The Blue quest perfectly captures that feeling of navigating through Riley’s mind, complete with the colorful memory orbs and the emotional complexity that made the film so beloved. Just like with other complex quest walkthroughs I’ve completed, this guide will walk you through every step, puzzle solution, and hidden music note location so you can complete this quest without the frustration I initially faced.
Prerequisites and Requirements for Starting Out Of The Blue
Before you can even begin the Out Of The Blue quest, there are several requirements you’ll need to meet. I learned this the hard way when I eagerly rushed to start the quest only to realize I hadn’t completed the necessary prerequisites.
Completing the Emotional Rescue Quest
First and foremost, you must complete the Emotional Rescue quest, which is the introductory quest for the Inside Out realm. This quest introduces you to Joy and establishes the basic mechanics of the realm. In my playthrough, this took about 30-45 minutes, depending on how thoroughly you explore the initial areas. The Emotional Rescue quest teaches you the fundamental mechanics you’ll need for Out Of The Blue, including memory interaction and basic navigation of Riley’s mind.
Character Requirements and Levels
While there’s no specific friendship level requirement for Joy or Sadness to start this quest, I highly recommend having Joy at least at friendship level 2. This isn’t mandatory, but having a higher friendship level means better rewards and more dialogue options that enhance the storytelling experience. From my experience with the DDV Star Path challenges, maintaining good friendship levels with all characters pays off in the long run, especially when working toward leveling up your companions efficiently.
Inventory and Preparation
Unlike some quests in Disney Dreamlight Valley that require specific items or resources, Out Of The Blue is refreshingly straightforward in its requirements. However, I always recommend clearing some inventory space before starting any major quest. You’ll be collecting music notes and interacting with various objects, and the last thing you want is to deal with inventory management mid-quest. I typically ensure I have at least 10-15 free slots, though the quest itself only requires about 4-5 spaces for the collectibles.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Navigating the Long Term Memory
Now let’s dive into the meat of the quest. When you first speak to Sadness after completing Emotional Rescue, she’ll explain that she needs help retrieving some important memories from Long Term Memory. This conversation triggers the quest officially, and you’ll see it appear in your quest log.
Taking the Elevator to Long Term Memory
The first major step involves locating and using the elevator to Long Term Memory. In my initial playthrough, I spent a good five minutes looking for this elevator because it’s not immediately obvious. You’ll find it in the main hub area of the Inside Out realm, marked by a distinctive purple and blue color scheme that matches Sadness’s aesthetic. Interact with the elevator controls, and you’ll be transported to a vast, seemingly endless library of memories.
The visual design here is absolutely stunning. The first time I entered Long Term Memory, I just stood there for a moment taking it all in. Countless glowing orbs line the shelves, each representing a memory from Riley’s life. The attention to detail here shows why Disney Dreamlight Valley continues to be one of my favorite life simulation games.
Understanding the Routing Control System
Here’s where things get interesting and, frankly, where most players get stuck. The routing control system uses a series of flippers (similar to pinball flippers) to direct memory orbs through different pathways. When I first encountered this puzzle, I’ll admit I was completely baffled. The game doesn’t explicitly explain how the system works, which led to about 15 minutes of trial and error.
The key insight I discovered is that each flipper has three positions: left, center, and right. You need to adjust these flippers to create a path that allows you to access different areas of Long Term Memory. Think of it like a complex train switching system where you’re directing the flow of traffic. The correct configuration for the first area is: Flipper 1 – Left, Flipper 2 – Center, Flipper 3 – Right. This opens the path to the first music note location.
Adjusting Flippers for Different Areas
As you progress through the quest, you’ll need to readjust the flippers multiple times to access all four areas containing music notes. Each configuration opens a different section of Long Term Memory. Here’s what I’ve mapped out through multiple playthroughs:
Configuration 1 (Northwest Area): Left, Center, Right – This is your starting configuration and leads to the first music note near some sports memories.
Configuration 2 (Northeast Area): Right, Left, Center – This path takes you to the area with childhood memories and the second music note.
Configuration 3 (Southwest Area): Center, Right, Left – This configuration opens access to the third music note located near some family vacation memories.
Configuration 4 (Southeast Area): Right, Right, Left – The final configuration leads to the last music note in an area filled with school memories.
I found that taking a screenshot or writing down these configurations saved me a lot of time on subsequent playthroughs with different characters. The puzzle doesn’t randomize, so these solutions will work for everyone.
Finding All Four Music Notes – Detailed Locations
The music note collection is perhaps the most challenging part of the Out Of The Blue quest. Unlike some collection quests in Disney Dreamlight Valley where items glow or have markers, these music notes blend into the environment surprisingly well. I missed the third one twice before finally spotting it tucked behind a memory shelf.
Music Note 1: The Sports Memory Section
The first music note is relatively easy to find once you’ve configured the flippers correctly for the northwest area. After entering this section, head straight forward past the initial memory clusters. You’ll see it floating near a collection of orange and yellow memory orbs that represent Riley’s hockey memories. In my experience, this one is the most visible and serves as a good introduction to what you’re looking for.
The music note itself has a subtle golden glow and makes a faint chiming sound when you’re near it. I recommend turning up your game audio if you’re having trouble spotting them visually, as the audio cue has saved me multiple times across various collection quests.
Music Note 2: The Childhood Memory Area
For the second music note, you’ll need to reconfigure the flippers to access the northeast section. This area is filled with bright, colorful memories from Riley’s early childhood. The music note here is trickier to spot because it’s positioned slightly behind a curved section of memory shelving. Walk around the perimeter of this area, checking behind each shelf cluster.
I found this note hiding near a collection of core memories that glow brighter than the standard ones. If you see a cluster of particularly vibrant blue and yellow orbs, you’re in the right area. The note is positioned at about eye level, so you don’t need to look up or down extensively.
Music Note 3: The Family Vacation Corner
The third music note gave me the most trouble, and based on community discussions I’ve seen, I’m not alone. After setting the flippers to the southwest configuration, you’ll enter an area dominated by green and purple memory orbs. The music note here is cleverly hidden behind a tall shelf on the left side of the area.
What makes this one particularly tricky is that you need to position your camera at just the right angle to see it. I found that standing at the entrance to this section and slowly panning the camera left while walking forward eventually reveals the note. It’s tucked into a small alcove that’s easy to miss if you’re moving too quickly through the area.
Music Note 4: The School Memory Section
The final music note is located in the southeast section, which requires the last flipper configuration. This area contains memories related to Riley’s school experiences, with lots of orange and red orbs. The music note here is positioned on top of a lower shelf near the back of the area.
In my playthrough, I initially walked right past this one because I was looking at eye level and higher. The note sits on a shelf that’s about waist-high, making it easy to overlook if you’re not checking all vertical levels. I recommend systematically checking high, middle, and low positions as you explore each area to avoid missing any collectibles.
Returning to Sadness and Quest Completion
Once you’ve collected all four music notes, it’s time to return to Sadness. The game provides a helpful quest marker at this point, guiding you back to the central hub where Sadness is waiting. Make sure you have all four notes before leaving Long Term Memory – I once made the mistake of leaving with only three, thinking I had them all, and had to go back through the entire flipper puzzle sequence again.
The Emotional Reunion
When you return to Sadness with the music notes, you’ll trigger a touching cutscene that really captures the emotional depth of the Inside Out franchise. Sadness explains how these musical memories help her process and understand Riley’s emotions better. The dialogue here is wonderfully written, and I found myself genuinely moved by the interaction.
The quest concludes with Sadness thanking you for your help and providing your rewards. In my experience, the emotional payoff of this quest matches its gameplay rewards, making it one of the more memorable quests in Disney Dreamlight Valley’s expanding roster of content.
Rewards for Completing Out Of The Blue
The rewards for completing Out Of The Blue are substantial and well worth the effort. Here’s what I received upon completion:
Experience Points: You’ll receive 1000 Dreamlight, which is a significant boost to your valley progression. This amount is consistent with other realm quests of similar complexity.
Friendship Progress: Completing the quest provides a major friendship boost with Sadness, typically moving you up an entire friendship level if you’re in the early stages. In my playthrough, I went from level 1 to level 3 with Sadness just from this quest.
Unique Items: You’ll receive exclusive Inside Out themed decorations that can’t be obtained anywhere else. These include memory orb decorations and themed furniture that perfectly captures the aesthetic of Riley’s mind.
Quest Chain Progress: Most importantly, completing Out Of The Blue unlocks the next quest in the Inside Out storyline, “Dream On,” which introduces even more complex mechanics and explores different areas of Riley’s mind.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
During my time helping friends through this quest and reading community forums, I’ve encountered several common issues that players face. Let me address the most frequent problems and their solutions.
Can’t Find the Elevator
If you’re having trouble locating the elevator to Long Term Memory, make sure you’ve actually completed the Emotional Rescue quest entirely. Some players think they’ve finished it but haven’t turned in the final step. Check your quest log to confirm the Emotional Rescue shows as completed. The elevator only becomes interactable after this quest is fully done.
Flippers Won’t Move or Respond
This is a bug I encountered once myself. If the flipper controls aren’t responding, try leaving the Inside Out realm entirely and returning. Go back to the main valley, save your game, then re-enter the realm. This usually resets the interactive elements and fixes the issue. If that doesn’t work, restarting the game entirely has always solved it for me.
Missing Music Note Despite Checking All Areas
If you’re absolutely certain you’ve checked all four areas but are missing a music note, the most likely culprit is the third note in the southwest section. It’s so well hidden that many players miss it even when looking directly at the shelf it’s behind. Try adjusting your camera angle and brightness settings. I found that increasing the game’s brightness by just one or two notches made the notes significantly easier to spot against the glowing memory orbs.
Quest Not Progressing After Collecting Notes
Occasionally, the quest might not update immediately after collecting all four notes. This happened to me once, and the solution was simple: open your inventory and check that all four notes are actually there. Sometimes the pickup animation plays but the item doesn’t register. If a note is missing, return to its location and try collecting it again.
Pro Tips for Efficient Quest Completion
After completing this quest multiple times across different saves, I’ve developed some strategies for speeding up the process significantly. These tips can cut your completion time from an hour to about 20-30 minutes, similar to the efficiency techniques I use for other collection-based gaming quests.
Screenshot the Flipper Configurations
As soon as you figure out each flipper configuration (or use the ones I’ve provided above), take a screenshot. This saves enormous time if you need to replay the quest or help a friend. I keep a folder of Disney Dreamlight Valley quest solutions for exactly this purpose.
Systematic Area Searching
When entering each new area of Long Term Memory, follow a systematic search pattern. I use a clockwise spiral pattern, starting from the entrance and working my way around the perimeter before checking the center. This ensures you don’t miss any notes and don’t waste time rechecking areas.
Audio Cues Are Your Friend
The music notes emit a subtle chiming sound that gets louder as you approach. If you’re playing with headphones, you can actually use directional audio to locate them faster. I’ve found this particularly helpful for finding that tricky third note.
Complete During Daytime In-Game
While this quest takes place in an indoor realm area, I’ve noticed that the lighting is slightly better during in-game daytime hours. It’s a minimal difference, but every bit helps when searching for golden music notes among glowing memory orbs.
Connecting to the Broader Inside Out Storyline
The Out Of The Blue quest is just one piece of the larger Inside Out narrative in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Understanding its place in the overall story enhances the experience significantly. This quest specifically deals with Sadness’s role in processing and organizing memories, which ties directly into the film’s themes about the importance of all emotions, not just joy.
After completing Out Of The Blue, you’ll unlock “Dream On,” which explores Riley’s dream productions and introduces new mechanics around imagination and creativity. The progression from Emotional Rescue through Out Of The Blue to Dream On mirrors Riley’s emotional journey in the film, moving from initial crisis through understanding to acceptance and growth.
In my opinion, the Inside Out realm quests represent some of the best storytelling in Disney Dreamlight Valley. They manage to capture the essence of the film while creating engaging gameplay that feels natural within the game’s framework. The Out Of The Blue quest, in particular, does an excellent job of making players think about how memories are processed and stored, turning what could be a simple fetch quest into something more meaningful.
Comparing to Other Realm Quests
Having completed every realm quest currently available in Disney Dreamlight Valley, I can confidently say that Out Of The Blue ranks among the more challenging but rewarding quests. It’s more complex than straightforward quests like those in the Moana realm but not as lengthy as some of the Wall-E storylines.
What sets this quest apart is its puzzle element. While many Disney Dreamlight Valley quests involve gathering resources or completing tasks for characters, Out Of The Blue requires actual problem-solving with the flipper system. This reminds me of some of the puzzle elements in other RPG quests I’ve completed, where thinking through the solution is as important as executing it.
The musical theme of collecting notes also adds a unique flavor. It’s not just about finding random objects; there’s a thematic connection between music, memory, and emotion that feels very intentional and well-designed. This attention to thematic detail is what keeps me coming back to Disney Dreamlight Valley with each update, especially when combined with activities like optimizing my cooking strategies for maximum efficiency.
Community Strategies and Alternative Approaches
Through discussions on the official Disney Dreamlight Valley Discord and various gaming forums, I’ve learned about alternative strategies other players use for this quest. Some players prefer to map out all flipper configurations first before collecting any notes, essentially “unlocking” all areas before beginning the collection phase. While this front-loads the puzzle-solving, it can make the collection phase feel more streamlined.
Another approach I’ve seen involves using the photo mode to get better angles when searching for music notes. By entering photo mode and moving the camera freely, you can sometimes spot notes that would be hidden from the normal gameplay camera. I personally prefer playing normally, but this is a clever solution for players who are really struggling to find specific notes.
Some speedrunners in the community have optimized the route to complete this quest in under 15 minutes. Their strategy involves memorizing the exact path to each note and the minimum number of flipper adjustments needed. While impressive, I think this removes some of the exploratory joy from the quest. However, if you’re on your second or third playthrough, these optimization strategies can save significant time.
Future Content and What’s Next
Completing Out Of The Blue opens up the next phase of the Inside Out content, but it also prepares you for future updates. Based on the developer roadmap and community speculation, we can expect more Inside Out content that builds on the mechanics introduced in this quest. The flipper puzzle system, in particular, seems like something that could be expanded in future updates.
I’m particularly excited about the possibility of exploring other areas of Riley’s mind that were shown in the film but haven’t appeared in the game yet. Imagination Land, Abstract Thought, and the Subconscious all offer incredible possibilities for future quests. If they maintain the quality and thoughtfulness shown in Out Of The Blue, we’re in for some amazing content.
The quest also sets up character relationships that will likely be important in future updates. Your growing friendship with Sadness opens up new dialogue options and potentially exclusive quests down the line. Based on patterns from other realms, we can expect friendship quests that delve deeper into each emotion’s role in Riley’s life.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The Out Of The Blue quest exemplifies what makes Disney Dreamlight Valley special: it takes a beloved Disney property and creates gameplay that feels both familiar and fresh. The quest respects the source material while creating something uniquely suited to the game’s life simulation format.
If you’re struggling with this quest, don’t get discouraged. The flipper puzzle is meant to be challenging, and finding all the music notes requires patience and attention to detail. Take your time, enjoy the beautiful environment of Long Term Memory, and remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.
For players who enjoy this type of content, I highly recommend exploring all the realm quests in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Each one offers unique mechanics and storytelling approaches. The Inside Out realm, starting with Emotional Rescue and continuing through Out Of The Blue, represents some of the most innovative quest design in the game.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to see how the developers continue to expand on the foundation laid by quests like Out Of The Blue. The combination of puzzle-solving, exploration, and emotional storytelling creates a gameplay experience that stands out in the life simulation genre. Whether you’re a longtime Disney fan or just someone who enjoys well-crafted gaming experiences, this quest delivers on all fronts.
Remember to save your game before starting the quest, take your time with the puzzles, and don’t hesitate to reference this guide when you get stuck. The Out Of The Blue quest may be challenging, but with patience and the right strategy, you’ll be helping Sadness process those memories in no time. Happy gaming, and may your valley continue to grow and thrive with each new adventure!
If you’re looking for more Disney Dreamlight Valley content to maximize your gameplay experience, don’t miss our other comprehensive guides including cozy gaming recommendations that feature DDV as a top pick for relaxing gameplay sessions.