Disneyland Paris Employee Fired Over Misunderstanding With Waffle Toppings

A Disneyland Paris Cast Member was unexpectedly fired this week over a misunderstanding surrounding waffle toppings.

20-year-old Loris Taboureau was unexpectedly let go on August 14, Le Parisien reports.

Loris Taboureau worked at Les Chariots Gourmands, a food stand that sells waffles with various toppings. According to Taboureau’s dismissal letter, an incident that occurred on June 26 led to his firing.

According to Le Parisien, the dismissal letter stated that around 4:55 p.m., a Guest asked for waffles with both whipped cream and Nutella toppings. Taboureau then informed the Guest that they had to choose one of the two toppings, as a stander policy stated only one topping could be chosen.

The Guest then later complained to Disneyland Paris customer service about Taboureau’s tone during the incident, describing him as “nonchalant”.

Taboureau backed up his reasoning by stating that if he had the Guest both toppings, other Guests in line would have expected the same special treatment, which would then lead him to get in trouble for going against the policy and menu.

The former Disneyland Paris Cast Member also noted that he had received many compliments from guests before and this was his first known complaint, leaving him to be even more confused about being fired. He said that, usually, this would result in a reminder or a temporary suspension.

“I’m upset,” Taboureau told Le Parisien (translated). “It’s a company in which I liked to work and to which I dedicated my days for a year. The only time I failed to bring the magic to life, I was immediately fired.”

Taboureau said that he believes his firing is partially due to his involvement in the strikes, in which Cast Members were requesting wage increases to match inflation and quality of life improvements in their working conditions. He was among the hundreds of Cast Members who went on strike back in May and June, even having his name and photograph published by Le Monde in an article about a strike on June 7.

Forbes previously reported, "There are two driving forces behind their demands. The first is runaway inflation which has led to the cost of electricity in France surging almost four-fold since Russia invaded Ukraine whilst flour, butter, and eggs are all about 50% more expensive. It has coincided with an uptick in the fortunes of Disneyland Paris which is the second factor fueling the strikes."

Their report continued to explain that the Cast Members are demanding include a monthly wage increase of $215 (€200), increased pay for working on Sundays, and improvements to their length of service bonus.

Despite France's rapidly increasing cost of everyday items and Disneyland Paris increasing the prices of tickets and other Park items, Disneyland Paris has refused to negotiate salaries with the Cast Members and has told staff to wait until a scheduled review in August.

The strike even led to multiple parade and fireworks cancellations at Disneyland Paris as French strike rules allowed Cast Members to march through the Parks.

For now, the strikes have paused, but are set to resume in September.