Inside Disney World's newest ride, Tiana's Bayou Adventure

As my raft wound through the Louisiana bayou, the jazzy serenade of animatronic musical critters almost lulled me into forgetting where this ride was headed.

• But soon, there it was: That familiar 50-foot drop — and the splash.

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The big picture: This week, I got a sneak peek at Disney World's latest attraction, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, based on the 2009 film "The Princess and the Frog."

• The New Orleans-themed log flume ride replaces Splash Mountain , though the bones of the Magic Kingdom mainstay remain. What's old is new again.

The vibe: Imagineers conferred with New Orleans-based artists and the family of famed NOLA chef Leah Chase , who inspired the Tiana character. It shows.

• This ride is a celebration of brassy music and Creole and Cajun culture.

The mural was painted by Louisiana-based artist Malaika Favorite . Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

Step inside: Set a year after the movie's happy ending, riders enter through our restaurateur protagonist's new business, Tiana's Foods.

• The walls are lined with mementos of Tiana's life with Prince Naveen — full, no doubt, of Easter eggs that Disney diehards will dissect ad nauseam.

Baby Tiana with her parents in a family photo at Tiana's Foods. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

🐰 All aboard: The ride takes you on a quest through the bayou, led by Tiana and fan-favorite alligator trumpeter Louis , in search of musicians for a Mardi Gras party.

• Among the recruits: a harmonica playing turtle, an opossum bassist and a rabbit using a license plate as a washboard.

🪄 The action ramps up when voodoo priestess Mama Odie shrinks us down to bug-sized so we can scout talent among Ray the firefly's brethren.

• Then, get ready for that 50-foot splash.

Mama Odie's magic drives the action of Bayou Adventure. Photo: Jeff Weiner/Axios

My six-word review: Classic ride + new adventure = comfort food.

Merch galore: You didn't think you'd meet those new critter musicians without having the chance to buy them, did you? Here's some of what I spotted for sale.

If you go: The ride opens to the public June 28 .

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