Everyone knows that Starring Rolls Cafe is one of my very favorite spots in all of Disney World. The concentration of unique treats there surpasses most other Disney World locations.
Even though the Cafe is teeny-tiny (no seating inside at all) there are some incredible eats to be had, including several of our favorite Disney Cupcakes!
Banana Split Dessert
But on a recent visit, I indulged in a few non-cupcake items! First, that incredible Napoleon I told you about last week, and second, this colorful treat…
Banana Split
It’s called the “Banana Split,” but there’s nothing ice creamy or “split”-y about it. So I’m not really sure where the name comes from.
Granted, it does have a banana flavor, and it does have some chocolate-ness to it, so perhaps that’s it? Plus, they’ve topped it with a bunch of yellow goo…so maybe yellow goo = banana?
Banana Split Close-Up
Anyway, I’d had my eye on this item for a while, and just wasn’t sure about it. What was it like? What was inside? Finally, my curiosity got the better of me and I snagged one. Here’s what it’s like inside:
Inside the Banana Split
And I have to tell you, even after eating one I still can’t tell you what it’s supposed to be. The texture is pudding/mousse-like, and it has a banana flavor to it. But that crust is still an enigma. I think it’s supposed to be chocolate, but it didn’t have a strong chocolate taste to it.
The little brown flecks inside are, again — I think, chocolate as well. Here’s a way-too-graphic photo of them so that you can make the call for yourself… And that weird moisture in there? Yeah, I don’t know what that is, either.
Banana Split
Overall
All in all, I wasn’t wowed with this treat. The flavor was too static throughout, and the fact that I couldn’t figure out what most of the components were was a bit of a turn-off (I like to know what I’m eating…”Frosting!” “Pudding!” “Cheese!”…ya know?). And I’m not a fan of “goo” of any kind (see Key Lime Mousee at Flame Tree Barbecue review for more of my thoughts on hair-gel-esque dessert toppings), so that bright yellowness on top was even more of a downer for me.
So, if you’re snagging a treat at Starring Rolls, my suggestion is to go with one of the fantastic cupcakes or other treats and skip this banana craziness. 😉
What are your favorite Starring Rolls Cafe items? Let us know in the comments below!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
I think I will pass on this in Oct, but I will have a cupcake and sandwich. Because of you I have been thinking about this place and just thinking about this place! 🙂 Tried the turkey sandwich and the butterfinger cupcake xmas and was so full ( I even had help). My husband, who doesn’t really care for dessert ( happy me), so he got the tiramasu for me. It was delish. Will try the chocolate peanut butter cupcake in Oct. This is the only place to eat (for me anyway) in HS. Nothing impresses me more than dessert! 🙂
I’ve seen these before, and I’m glad to hear that they’re worth passing on. I actually always thought they looked kind of gross, but wasn’t sure if I was wrong. Starring Rolls is always a must-eat for me, though – they have fabulous food! I have to be very careful with gluten, but I always just eat the meat and veggies out of one of their ginormous sandwiches – that’s more than enough to fill me up! I also get the fruit tarts as my dessert, and just eat the fruit and custard, leaving the shell. Yum! 🙂
I have (please don’t be shocked over this) never been to Starring Roles! EEK! I know, but I’m making up for that this year. My friends have ressies for a Fantasmic lunch and I’m going to Starring roles instead and I can’t wait (thanks to your blog)! I’m gonna snag a turkey sandwich and a luscious cupcake. Then I’m gonna buy extra cupcakes to take back home with me. The banana split thing doesn’t look appealing to me at all, even if those yummy cupcakes weren’t there making me drool in my keyboard.
Cynthia — I’m so glad you had a great visit and are planning on heading back! 🙂 Don’t forget that Napoleon!
Dana — That’s awesome that you love Starring Rolls so much! I’m totally with ya! Any absolutely favorites?
Essie — Ha ha! Great choice! 🙂 Let me know what cupcakes you get!
Ew, these look a bit different from a couple of years ago:
http://www.mainstgazette.com/2010/12/double-scoop-for-you.html
I believe that the mystery gel in a corn starch based goo that pastry chefs use to preserve the lifespan of fruit based desserts. Those gel topped desserts were in abundance on my Disney Fantasy cruise earlier this year. I understand the concept and the taste is not discernible but the appearance is not appetizing to me.
It resembles the Banana White-Chocolate Toffee Tower at the marvelous Brown Derby next door. And from the saliva-inducing (gross word, I know) close-up, I am sure it is just as tasty.
I’ve been a reader of your blog for a while now, actually, and this is the first time I’m commenting. Strange, considering I have a lot of praise to give you for your great writing and scrumptious pictures. Let me say that again: scrumptious pictures. Again, adore your work. 🙂
The Banana Split just doesn’t make sense. I true banana split has the banana but it also has chocolate, pineapple and strawberry. Maybe the “split” means they decided to split half the flavors off their dessert.
I love banana so it’s disappointing that neither dessert is worth the calories.
I think I’ll pass on that one. In our family, we usually split turkey sandwiches so that we can each have room for a whole cupcake. My favorite is definitely the chocolate peanut butter!!
Man, I so wanted this to taste good! I love the idea of it….
The old style of the Banana Split was definitely much better than this. That yellow good doesn’t look goo at all!
Ughh! Why do they have to change such a good thing? It was so yummy before when it was in the tube and had whipped creme and caramel on it. While others were running to TSM I was running to Starring Rolls to grab two or three of these!! This new one just looks disgusting. So sad now.
Jenna Z — Agreed!
Pudge — I agree 100%. They never really taste like anything, do they?
Veronica — Thanks for the compliment on the photography. Perhaps it is approximating the dessert from Brown Derby, but I still don’t want to try it again. 😉
Fran — Ha ha! I think the rest of the toppings “split!” 😉 Great deduction!
Josephine — Yes! I think the cupcakes and napoleon are the winners here.
Jaia — Aw, you should still try it! Maybe it’ll be up your alley!
Rachel — Agreed. I wish I’d sampled the older version!
Lisa — Hee hee! I’m glad you had your priorities straight when you were there! I’d love to hear if the inside of this one is like the old one…
Has anyone tried the Butterfinger cupcake?
Corie — here’s our most recent review of the Butterfinger Cupcake!
Hi A.J.! My family (me, my daughter, and my husband) is going to WDW in November with the Disney Dining Plan, and we will be seeing AK and HS on the same day. The thing is, we’ll be having a White Chocolate Elephant Cupcake and some Anandapur tea for breakfast (YUM!), and I don’t know what to do with our extra counter service credit for that day. What is the best counter service restaurant at Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios? Thanks!
Suzanne — I would choose Restaurantosaurus in Animal Kingdom. It’s one of my favorites, and really fun to look around! Another favorite in Animal Kingdom is Flame Tree Barbecue. Probably better food there 😉
I’ve got to say that I’m going to be the odd one out here… I love those things! When we were over last August I had about four of them.
Omg! My husband and I split this dessert earlier today and it was delicious!!! There were bits of chocolate chunks mixed in the mousse-like dessert. I would order it again (and again).