The Ghost in the Portrait is the third weekly quest in Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Season of Scares event, bringing players back to Oogie Boogie’s Mirror Lair for another round of his Halloween games.
The quest became available on Oct. 7, 2026, following The Oogie Boogie Contract. This time, a mysterious portrait catches your attention, although getting to the bottom of it won’t be as simple as asking Oogie Boogie a few questions.
Here’s how to complete the quest, including the puzzle solutions and everything you need to collect along the way.
How to Start The Ghost in the Portrait
After completing The Oogie Boogie Contract, check your mailbox for another letter from Oogie Boogie titled Let’s Have a Chat.
Claim the attached Lucky Wheel Ticket, then enter Scrooge McDuck’s Store and use the Strange Mirror to return to Oogie Boogie’s Mirror Lair.
Head upstairs and inspect the Haunted Portrait near the Lucky Wheel.
A Memory Orb will appear nearby. Collect it and complete the A Skeleton and His Ghost Dog memory puzzle by moving the pieces into their correct positions.
Once finished, speak with Oogie Boogie and give him your Lucky Wheel Ticket.
How to Sabotage the Lucky Wheel
After speaking with Oogie Boogie, return to Scrooge McDuck and ask for help.
He’ll give you a Plain Gift Box to use in the Mirror Lair.
- Return through the Strange Mirror.
- Head toward the staircase on the right side of the first floor.
- Place the Plain Gift Box at the sparkling spot near the bottom of the stairs.
- Head upstairs and equip your Royal Pickaxe.
- Strike the Lucky Wheel to destroy it.
The wheel drops five Lucky Wheel Cogs and Ghostly Paint Thinner.
Important: Collect all five cogs before using the Ghostly Paint Thinner. Some players have reported progression issues when a cog is left behind, particularly when one lands behind the wheel.
Once everything is collected, open your inventory and use the Ghostly Paint Thinner to upgrade your Royal Watering Can.
Water the Haunted Portrait, then speak with Oogie Boogie.
He has another trick waiting for you. Find the real Haunted Portrait among the paintings in the Mirror Lair and try watering it.
When that doesn’t work, return to the Valley and speak with Merlin.
Where to Find All Five Zero Essence
Merlin’s solution requires five Zero Essence, which you can collect by finding hidden drawings of Zero throughout the first floor of the Mirror Lair.
The drawings are located in these spots:
| Location | Where to Look |
|---|---|
| Window display | Inside the window display on the right side of the room |
| Right staircase | In the corner behind the staircase on the right |
| Furniture display | On the table near the right staircase, where you placed the gift box |
| Skeleton display | Behind the dancing skeletons beside the vault door |
| Stacked dice | On the back of the stacked dice opposite the skeleton display |
Interact with each drawing and collect the Zero Essence that appears.
All five drawings are on the first floor, so there’s no need to search Oogie Boogie’s upstairs area again.
How to Craft Real Ghostly Paint Thinner
Once you have all five Zero Essence, head to the Crafting Station inside the Mirror Lair.
Open the Oogie Boogie quest crafting category and combine the five essences to create Real Ghostly Paint Thinner.
Next, open your inventory and use the new paint thinner to upgrade your Royal Watering Can.
Find the correct Haunted Portrait again and water it with the upgraded tool.
This time, the magic works, freeing Zero from the painting.
Speak with Oogie Boogie one final time to complete The Ghost in the Portrait.
The Ghost in the Portrait Rewards
Completing Week 3 permanently unlocks Zero as a Companion in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
You also collect five Lucky Wheel Cogs during the quest. These remain in your inventory afterward.
Zero can be equipped as a Companion, allowing Jack Skellington’s ghostly dog to accompany you around the Valley.
The next Season of Scares quest is Rescue Mission, scheduled for Oct. 14, 2026.
