Thread: Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955. The park was created in just one year and one day and cost $17 million to build. Opening day was dubbed "Black Sunday" due to the issues Disney had with the opening.

Disneyland opening day was "invite only" and tickets were given out to special guests. Pictured below: Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

Tickets were counterfeited and crowds flooded the park, with almost two times as many people as expected. Ticket pricing was $1 for adults and 50 cents for kids. There was even a ladder constructed outside of the park to sneak people in for $5.

Traffic was terrible! Cars backed up for nearly 7 miles on the freeway as guests attempted to enter the park.

Disneyland construction was on-going. Rides were unfinished and water fountains didn’t work due to a plumbers strike right before opening. It was so hot, fresh asphalt was melting, shoes were getting stuck.

Disneyland characters looked like this:

Food & Drink at Disneyland was sold out within hours of opening.

Autopia reported over 35 crashes - mainly from kid drivers on the ride.

Disneyland featured a ride where you could literally ride horses at the park. Real horses!

There was a “bar” for children at Disneyland called the Golden Horseshoe, where bartenders served root beer to kids.

The Mark Twain Riverboat at Disneyland nearly sank, causing many guests to exit the boat in the water.

The Sleeping Beauty Castle also ran into some issues, almost burning down at Disneyland due to a gas leak.