This picture was taken during the opening broadcast of Disneyland. Seen over ABC-TV on Sunday July 17th 1955 7:30-9:00 p.m. EDT. Notice the draw bridge in a very rare open position.
“DAY ONE” JULY 17, 1955
The
cars stretched bumper-to-bumper for seven miles on the Santa Ana Freeway in what
police at the time called, “the worst traffic jam ever seen.” The date was
July 17, 1955, and the contingent of first-day invitees was on its way to
Anaheim where Walt Disney, known for his creative genius in the motion picture
industry, was about to unveil a new entertainment experience: his personal
dream, DISNEYLAND®.
Tickets for the invitational opening day event had been given to Studio workers,
those who had constructed the Park, and to press, dignitaries and celebrities.
But as the gates opened a year after groundbreaking on the 160-acre orange
grove, all was not quite ready.
Nearly 30,000 invited guests, along with countless people holding counterfeit
tickets, poured through the gates to create long lines everywhere. Rides broke
down shortly after opening and restaurants and refreshment stands ran out of
food and drink. Fantasyland had to be temporarily closed due to a gas leak,
workmen were still planting trees and in some areas paint was wet to the touch.
The blistering heat of the July day added to the distress as the spiked heels on
women’s shoes sank into the soft asphalt on Main Street.
Yet, Walt Disney was unaware of the chaotic situation. He was being shuttled
from one part of the Park to another for a live 90-minute television broadcast,
“Dateline Disneyland,” showcasing his newly unveiled creation. Led by
co-hosts Bob Cummings, Art Linkletter and a man destined to become President of
the United States, Ronald Reagan, 90 million viewers witnessed the fantastic
result of one man’s dream come true.
Celebrities on hand included: Buddy Ebsen and Fess Parker, who entertained in
Frontierland, Charlton Heston, Eve Arden, Maureen O’Hara, Frank Sinatra, Sammy
Davis Jr., Kirk Douglas, Danny Thomas, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. Also on
hand were the Mouseketeers, an unknown group of youngsters - yet three months
away from making their television debut on a series that was to become a
national children’s viewing habit, “The Mickey Mouse Club.”
It wasn’t until the following day, via press accounts, that Walt Disney became
aware of the negative reaction to DISNEYLAND. “Walt’s Dream a Nightmare,”
“Park Can’t Handle Opening Day Crush,” “DISNEYLAND Opens Amid Traffic
Jams, Confusion,” etc., declared headlines across the nation. Ever afterward,
Walt Disney would refer to that fateful day as “Black Sunday.”
But as Hollywood columnist Sheila Graham reported after her first-day
disappointments, “Don’t be discouraged, boys and girls, Walt has always been
a smart trader and I’m sure there will be some changes made.”
And changes there were. Walt immediately summoned his staff, and together they
dealt with the problems of low ride capacity, congested walkways, traffic jams
and slow food service. Walt spent his days and nights at DISNEYLAND -- observing
guests, ride operators, food servers, merchandise and custodial Hosts/Hostesses.
He continually asked questions in a relentless search to improve what was to
become the most successful venture of his accomplished career.
After only seven weeks of operations, DISNEYLAND welcomed its one-millionth
guest and at the close of its first fiscal year, 3.8 million visitors had been
hosted.
Today, more than four decades later, DISNEYLAND park’s success is
world-renowned. A land of fantasy and enchantment, it continues to entertain and
delight children of all ages, unique in the world of family entertainment. On
July 17, 1955, the financial investment was $17 million and 18 attractions were
showcased. Today over 60 attractions exist, and since opening, DISNEYLAND has
welcomed more than 300 million guests.
Today “Black Sunday” seems a distant memory of the magical land that Walt Disney built. As he said in his dedication speech almost 40 years ago:
“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
Walt Disney’s words are as true today as they were then, and they will be true for many years to come.