Disney Dreamlight Valley Wishblossom Ranch review – Reawakening my inner horse girl with an expansion that gallops ahead of the rest

It’s time to saddle up, fellow horse lovers, because Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Wishblossom Ranch expansion has galloped straight into my heart and whisked me back to a simpler, horse-obsessed part of my childhood I didn’t even realize I’d been missing. This is the third DLC we’ve gotten for the Disney game—and it’s without a doubt the best one yet. 

The Wishblossom Ranch expansion whisks you away to a special place that’s powered by wishes, where horses used to roam free around a gorgeous ranch area. This area has fallen into ruin and neglect thanks to the mysterious Decay, and now it’s up to you to restore it to its former glory, with the help of some iconic Disney characters and horses to guide the way. 

As someone who grew up completely horse-obsessed—I’m talking horse games, horse wallpaper, horse figurines, and even convincing my parents to sign me up for horseback riding lessons—stepping into this expansion felt like unlocking a piece of childhood I hadn’t touched in years. It stirred up a nostalgia I didn’t realize I still carried with me, made even sweeter by experiencing it in a game I already adore.

Mounts are the standout feature of this pack, and they’re absolutely game-changing additions to the world of DDV. Anything you can or want to do on foot can be done much better while riding a loyal companion. Harvesting, mining, digging, watering, and removing obstacles are all roles your horses can specialize in and help you tackle. Those pesky chores that can sometimes feel repetitive and tedious are somehow fun and new again with a trust steed to help you through them. 

One of my biggest reservations going into Wishblossom Ranch was that it only included four characters, while previous expansions have always offered five. This worry vanished pretty quickly, though, because with all the horses, it honestly feels like we got way more than five characters. 

Although they’re not full-on villagers, Maximus from Tangled, Khan from Mulan, and Pegasus from Hercules all have unique personalities and abilities that certainly make them feel like more than simple animal allies. You also get to create a range of custom horses, with loads of design options to choose from, including various colors, patterns, saddles, hair types, and much more. 

All horses, including both custom and Disney ones, have lots of unique interactions, too, like feeding and brushing. And, of course, traveling around has never been faster or more fun. Mounts can be used in all worlds, including Wishblossom Ranch, Dreamlight Valley, and other DLC areas, allowing you to explore anywhere you like with your equine friends. Altogether, the horses feel surprisingly complex and fleshed out, just like regular characters do. 

The new villagers are incredibly exciting, with some characters I’ve been waiting to see for a long time. Cruella De Vil and Tinker Bell are my personal favorites, but it’s also wonderful to finally see Snow White. Tigger’s inclusion is particularly fun, and it gives me hope that we might see more Winnie the Pooh characters in future updates. It’s a delightful mix of characters, and it feels like there’s something for everyone, along with plenty of engaging quests and rewards to discover along the way. 

The biomes in this DLC are easily some of the most stunning and unique locations we’ve seen yet, fulfilling many of my big wishes for the game. Wishing Alps is a gorgeous, snowy wonderland, complete with a cozy town area. Glamour Gulch feels fashionable and a little sinister, featuring stunning landmarks like a lighthouse and a massive metal bridge. Pixie Acres blends sweets-themed areas with oversized items like giant butterflies and flowers, giving you that magical, small-as-a-pixie feeling.

There are no other areas quite like these ones, and they’ve quickly become some of my favorite locations in the game. There’s so much new space to build, and so many villager houses, I can’t wait to move here. Even the infamous eyesore that is Vanellope’s candy house finally has a proper home in the sweet Sunday Shores region of Pixie Acres.

DDV expansions can be fairly pricey, but if you love this game, this one is absolutely worth it. It’s easily the best DLC we’ve seen yet, and it doesn’t even feel close. Each expansion seems to outdo the last, and just when I think the devs can’t impress me any more than they have, they find a way to surprise me.

Wishblossom Ranch is a triumph—a lovingly built expansion that captures everything magical about the game while also adding a captivating new world to get lost in. It’s rare that a game you already know and love can still surprise you, but this expansion does it effortlessly, stirring up nostalgia I didn’t even know was there.