Disney Dreamlight Valley: How to Unlock the Latest 72 Characters in the Game

Disney Dreamlight Valley has reached a sizeable roster of unlockable characters, spanning classic film favorites and more recent animation hits. As of the latest update, players can already recruit dozens of characters into their village, with most available either through the base game or free post-launch updates—while a smaller set is tied to paid expansion content.

Key takeaways

  • Players can currently unlock 72 characters in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
  • Most characters are obtainable for free via the main game or later free updates.
  • A few character unlocks require purchasing specific DLC expansion packs.
  • Unlocking paid DLC characters involves completing that addon’s main quests to bring them into your village as part of its story.
  • Additional characters are already confirmed or teased for future updates and DLC, with details referenced in a separate roadmap piece.
  • The character list article is marked as last updated on April 10, 2026.

How character unlocking works in Dreamlight Valley

In Disney Dreamlight Valley, character availability depends on where the content comes from. The majority of the roster can be unlocked either directly through the base game or by progressing through free updates added after launch. These characters are designed to be welcomed into your community as you complete the content tied to their respective storylines.

However, some figures are locked behind paid expansions. For those characters, you must purchase the corresponding DLC expansion pack first. After buying the add-on, you can then follow the main quests included with that DLC, which guide you through the specific plot beats that ultimately allow you to bring the character(s) into your village.

Free characters, paid DLC characters, and what’s next

The current character lineup is split between free unlocks (available through the core game and free updates) and paid DLC unlocks (available only after purchasing the relevant expansion). Separately, the game’s future plans include additional characters that have been confirmed or teased for upcoming updates and more DLC releases. Those future additions are discussed in a dedicated roadmap article.

Finally, the roster is treated as a living list: whenever new characters are published, the character roundup is updated to reflect the latest unlocks.

Marcus Chen is a gaming journalist and industry reporter with more than 10 years of experience. He covers releases, announcements, and trends across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, and keeps a close eye on the indie scene and esports. Previously an editor at several gaming publications, he now writes news, reviews, and breakdowns of major industry moments—from big showcases to updates on popular titles. His work is aimed at players who want a clear, fast read on what happened and why it matters.