You've probably been there. You are wandering through the Forest of Valor, minding your own business, when Olaf decides he needs your help with something that sounds simple but turns into a massive scavenger hunt. Disney Dreamlight Valley Hot and Cold is one of those mid-game quests that catches people off guard because it forces you to engage with the environment in a way the game doesn't always explain clearly. It’s not just about running from point A to point B; it’s about understanding the internal logic of the Frozen Heights and how the game’s "investigation" mechanics actually work.
Olaf is a great character, honestly. He’s charming. But his quests? They can be a headache. This particular mission is part of his friendship progression, specifically his Level 4 quest. If you haven't reached that level with the sentient snowman yet, you won't see this pop up. You’ll also need to have progressed far enough with Elsa, because, as we know, the Arendelle crew is pretty much inseparable when it comes to Valley lore.
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What is Disney Dreamlight Valley Hot and Cold actually about?
The core of the quest is a classic "find the missing items" trope, but it’s flavored with Olaf’s specific brand of chaotic energy. He’s worried about the state of the Valley—standard stuff—and he thinks some "hot and cold" spots are the key to fixing things. Basically, he gives you a Spark of Imagination and tells you to go find where the temperature is acting weird.
Most players get stuck on the locations. The game gives you hints, but the Valley is big, and the specific spots where you need to stand can be finicky. You aren't just looking for visual cues; you are looking for specific interactable points that only trigger when you have the quest active.
Finding the three locations in the Frozen Heights
Once you’ve talked to Olaf and gotten the rundown, your first real task is to head to the Frozen Heights. This biome is already a bit of a maze with its verticality and those annoying ice rocks that block your path if you haven't upgraded your pickaxe yet.
- The first spot is near the pillar. You know the one—the Pillar of Love. If you stand near the base of it, you should see a prompt or a visual shimmering.
- The second location is deeper into the biome, specifically near the bridge that crosses the river.
- The third one is often the trickiest. It’s located near the cave where you first found Olaf.
Don't just run through these areas. You actually have to stop and wait for the "investigate" prompt to appear. If it doesn't show up, try walking in small circles around the landmark. The hitboxes for these quest triggers are sometimes smaller than they look.
The "Cold" part: Dealing with the water
After you’ve poked around the Frozen Heights, Olaf gets the idea that you need to go to the Frosted Heights water sources. This is where the quest title really starts to make sense. You’re balancing the literal freezing temperatures of the heights with the "warmth" of your magic.
You’ll be asked to find several bottles submerged in the water. These aren't like the emerald bottles you might have hunted for in the secret potato quests. These are specific to Olaf. You’ll see them glinting under the surface of the river.
Use your fishing rod.
Wait.
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Actually, sometimes you don't even need the rod; you just need to interact with the "orange" ripples. In Disney Dreamlight Valley Hot and Cold, the game uses the fishing mechanic as a catch-all for "retrieving things from water." If you see a gold or orange circle in the river within the Frosted Heights while this quest is active, that is your target.
Why can't I find the bottles?
Common issue: people look in the wrong biome. It has to be the Frosted Heights. If you are fishing in the Sunlit Plateau or the Glade of Trust, you’re just going to get Bass and Lobster. Stay in the snow. Also, make sure your inventory isn't full. The game won't always warn you that you can't "catch" a quest item if your backpack is stuffed with 50 stacks of pumpkins.
Gathering the crafting materials
Once you have the items from the water, the "Hot" part of the quest kicks in. Olaf wants you to melt something or create a "warm" environment. This usually involves a trip to your crafting station. You’re going to need:
- Iron Ingots (which means a lot of mining in the Forest of Valor or Glade of Trust)
- Sand (digging on Dazzle Beach)
- Hardwood (scattered around the Forest or the Forgotten Lands)
The "hot" element often refers to the Sunlight Extract or similar items you have to concoct. This is where the quest slows down for many people. If you haven't been hoarding iron ore, you're going to be spending twenty minutes hitting rocks.
The final step with Elsa
You cannot finish Disney Dreamlight Valley Hot and Cold without talking to Elsa. She acts as the logical anchor to Olaf’s whims. She’ll usually give you the final piece of advice or the magical "oomph" needed to combine the items you've found.
Take the crafted items and the items from the water back to Olaf. He’ll be standing somewhere near the cave or wandering the Frosted Heights. Once you hand them over, a small cutscene or a burst of dialogue happens, and the "temperature" of the biome supposedly stabilizes.
It’s a bit of a marathon.
But honestly? The reward is worth it because it levels up Olaf significantly, getting you closer to those sweet Level 10 friendship rewards like the Permafrost Cape.
Actionable steps to clear the quest now
If you are currently staring at your screen wondering why the quest tracker hasn't updated, do these three things immediately:
- Check your biome: Ensure you are physically standing in the Frosted Heights. Quest triggers in this game are notoriously picky about your exact coordinates.
- Empty your pockets: Drop your extra stone and soil in a chest. You need at least 4-5 open slots for the various quest items Olaf is going to throw at you.
- Update your tools: If you haven't upgraded your Pickaxe to break the large ice chunks, you’re going to have a hard time reaching the back areas of the river where the final bottles usually spawn. Talk to Elsa and finish her "Breaking the Ice" quest first if you're stuck.
The most important thing to remember is that this quest is a prerequisite for much of the later-game "Glacier" lore. Finishing it doesn't just make Olaf happy; it unlocks the ability to further investigate the Great Blizzard that originally froze the heights. Keep your fishing rod equipped, watch for those orange ripples, and don't let the Iron Ingot grind get you down. Once this is done, the rest of Olaf's story flows much more smoothly.