DISNEYLAND TURNS 45 (JULY 17)

DISNEYLAND TURNS 45 (JULY 17)

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- Disneyland turns 45 years old today (Jul. 17) -- but, according to one Hollywood historian, it's a wonder the park wasn't shut down after the first day. Tinseltown tour guide Stephen Schochet says the park's opening day coincided with a plumber's strike that forced Walt Disney to decide between operational drinking fountains or toilets that flushed. Walt chose working toilets over fresh water -- even though a heat wave caused some folks to pass out. The temperature was so hot that the asphalt melted and women in high heels became stuck in the tar. Even worse: many rides broke down causing fights between guests and park employees. Although Disney didn't learn about the problems until the next day, he avoided any scandal by fixing the problems as quickly as possible.