On Sunday, July 17, 1955, the roads leading to Anaheim, California, came to a complete standstill. This event was meant to be an exclusive preview for 15,000 members of the press, studio employees, and sponsors. However, counterfeiters had printed thousands of fake tickets. Over 28,000 people showed up, doubling the expected attendance. The Santa Ana Freeway backed up for seven miles. Cars sat bumper-to-bumper under the blazing sun, delaying the arrival of special guests and television crews for hours.
A Heat Wave on Main Street
Temperatures in Anaheim soared to 101 degrees Fahrenheit that afternoon. The heat caused immediate problems with the freshly paved asphalt on Main Street, U.S.A. Workmen had poured the pavement just hours before the gates opened, so it remained soft and sticky. Women wearing high-heeled shoes found themselves sinking into the blacktop. Many had to slide their feet out of their shoes just to keep walking. The intense heat also caused the paint on the Sleeping Beauty Castle to remain tacky to the touch.
The Water Fountain Controversy
Thirsty guests quickly realized that none of the drinking fountains in the park worked. A plumbers’ strike in the weeks leading up to the opening forced Walt Disney to make a difficult operational choice. He had to decide between finishing the restrooms or connecting the water fountains. He chose the restrooms. Because the fountains were dry, visitors had to buy soda to stay hydrated. Since Pepsi was a major sponsor, many attendees accused Disney of turning off the water on purpose to sell more soft drinks.
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Chaos on the Attractions
The overcrowding severely affected the ride operations. The Mark Twain Riverboat, designed to carry a specific number of passengers, took on hundreds of extra people. The boat sat so low in the water that the muddy river spilled over the deck, soaking the guests’ shoes. In Fantasyland, a gas leak occurred near the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Staff had to evacuate the area and close that entire section of the park temporarily to fix the loose valve. Meanwhile, long lines formed at the Rocket to the Moon attraction, which experienced mechanical failures throughout the day.
The Live Television Broadcast
While the chaos unfolded on the ground, ABC broadcast the event live to millions of viewers across America. The special, titled Dateline: Disneyland, featured hosts Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings, and future president Ronald Reagan. The broadcast suffered from numerous technical glitches. Cameras caught crew members running across the set, and microphones failed to work at crucial moments. Despite the confusion, Walt Disney stood in Town Square and read his dedication speech. He welcomed the world to his new park, unaware of the operational meltdowns happening just a few hundred yards away.
