I was one of the first to ride the Splash Mountain replacement at Disney World. After years of controversy, it's a whole new ride.

Before loading into the log-style ride vehicles, a large outdoor queue area snakes around a concrete plaza.

This largely unshaded outdoor area can get very hot, so I'd bring a handheld fan or an umbrella during the summer months to help keep cool.

Just before heading inside, I spotted Tiana's delivery truck decorated in Mardi Gras colors.

After walking through the outdoor line, I reached the covered indoor section of the queue, which was almost cuter than the actual attraction.

I loved all of the hidden details. But one of the first things I saw was a newspaper folded up on a wooden table. The headline read, "Princess Tiana throws a Mardi Gras Party for all of New Orleans."

This was my first big clue for what to expect from the ride itself.

Just past the table, on the shelf above the desk, there's a little Easter egg paying tribute to Splash Mountain: fox, bear, and bunny tchotchkes placed together as a nod to Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Rabbit.

If you've ever watched "The Princess and the Frog," you'll know that gumbo, a stew-like dish that's famous in New Orleans, is a big part of the story.

I loved seeing a framed copy of Tiana's dad's famous recipe on the wall of the queue. I snapped a picture just to try out the recipe myself.

Just past the gumbo recipe, I peeked into Tiana's kitchen, where a plate of beignets was covered in powdered sugar on the table.

It even smelled like powdered sugar inside the kitchen.

The log-style ride vehicles for Tiana's Bayou Adventure looked very similar to the ones from Splash Mountain — I wouldn't be surprised if they just recycled the old ones.

They each have four rows that can comfortably fit two adults each. I got a seat in the back row of the log.

After the first lift hill, I got my first look at the impressive new animatronics that Disney created for the attraction, which is set a year after "The Princess and the Frog" ends.

Princess Tiana welcomed us to the bayou and let us know what to bring to the party.

The ride continued down into the bayou past Louis and Mama Odie from the movie.

Throughout the ride, there were familiar songs from the movie. But there was also an all-new song called "Special Spice," sung by Anika Noni Rose, who voiced Tiana.

The most famous part of Splash Mountain was probably the big drop into the briar patch, and that track remained the same for the reimagined water ride.

Luckily, in the back of the log, I didn't get very wet throughout the ride, including the big drop.

My favorite part of the ride was the final scene, where all the characters gather for a big celebration.

Each of the critters we passed during the ride is now playing music for the party. One of my favorite details was seeing Gritty, the rabbit, playing the washboard, which is actually the license plate from Tiana's truck outside.

I only ended up riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure once during the preview event. Although it's not my favorite ride at Disney World (that spot belongs to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind), it's great to have something new.

I also loved everything the Disney creatives did to make the attraction feel like it was plucked right out of New Orleans.

When Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opens at the end of the month, Magic Kingdom will only offer a virtual queue, as has been the case for other recent rides. But you can also purchase Genie+ or an Individual Lighting Lane to ride.

The minimum height requirement is 40 inches. The ride doesn't have scary story elements, but some parts are dark, and the big drop could be too much for younger kids.