60 Fantastic Color Photographs Capture Disneyland on the Opening Day on July 17, 1955

Few smiles could be found at the “Happiest Place on Earth” when Disneyland opened its gates for the first time on July 17, 1955. Epic traffic jams, counterfeit tickets, broken rides, food shortages and a lack of water on a 100-degree day all plagued the theme park’s unveiling.

Below is a gallery of 60 amazing color photographs capture Disneyland on its opening day in 1955. These photos were taken by LIFE photographers Allan Grant and Loomis Dean.