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[Nate65807]

If you've been wanting an opportunity to use your imagination and come up with something creative, out of the box, off the wall, or just plain silly...you're in the right place. There is a very steep hill that starts by the Saloon and ends at the General Store that some people refer to as Cardiac Hill.



Now...there are two ways of looking at this: as a problem or as a solution. If you were in charge, what would you do to:

Exploit this area's unique terrain?

Or

Make it more accessible for guests who have trouble climbing it?

I will take the lead here. Obviously with all of these ideas I would incorporate appropriate safety measures to make sure nobody gets hurt and try to mess with the theme of the park as little as possible.

Exploit:
1) I would rope off this area during OTC and have sleds so that kids could ride down it when there was enough snow.
2) Rest of the year... make it part of a Segway tour.

Accessibility:
1) Install an escalator with steps big enough to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs.
2) Install a moving walkway, like they have at major airports.
3) Ski Lift

I know that this seems random and I respect those who would leave it just as it is. But I have just always thought that something should be done with it. Does anybody have any other fun ideas for Cardiac Hill?

[Swoosh]

C. get in shape and stop whining about how steep the hill is.

[okiebluegrass]

You can always walk around down by the American plunge. It is still steep but steep at an angle it much better than straight up. My fiance has a bad back and bad knees, so climbing straight up cardiac hill is not really an option for her but by AP she was able to get back up the hill.

[Makayna]

I never thought I was out of shape, but when a certain friend practically RUNS up Cardiac Hill, and I'm lagging back, huffing and puffing, I feel like the most out-of-shape person at the park!

So, I tend to go other ways that aren't quite as steep so I don't look like a complete couch potato! 

[Ozark Outlaw]

Let's not forget the opposite problem with "cardiac hill" - falling down the hill!

Every morning I was at Silver Dollar City, I would stand by the ropes at the top of the hill during opening ceremonies. As soon as the ropes dropped, it was a mad dash straight to the bottom for Wildfire, and Powder Keg. I often wonder how many people face plant themselves on this hill first thing in the morning.

[Nate65807]

As soon as the ropes dropped, it was a mad dash straight to the bottom for Wildfire, and Powder Keg. I often wonder how many people face plant themselves on this hill first thing in the morning.

Wow! I never thought about it the other way, Ozark BBQ. I bet this happens more than we know.

C. get in shape and stop whining about how steep the hill is.

You're right. I and many other people in this world do need to get in shape, even though I have no problem making it up Cardiac Hill (ask anybody who's went to SDC with me).

I'm talking about people who are elderly or have various medical conditions. Even the route that Okiebluegrass suggests would be steep for some.

Having to go all the way to the Thunderation/ Valley Road side of the park, is quite a long journey for someone with a walker or wheelchair. The Midtown "spiral" route that goes over the train tracks isn't too bad, but it would be nice if there was an easier way for these folks. There are shops along the Cardiac Hill path that people may want to visit, not to mention that it's the starting point for the OTC parade, whose song is stuck in my head already

The train float is my favorite (at 3:30 in the video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtb2iy8Zfyo&feature=related

Has anybody ever used an electric scooter to climb Cardiac Hill, or been with someone else who has? I always wondered if those things had the torque to make it to the top. I can just picture a SDC issued electric scooter's battery dying on the middle of that hill. Epic fail!

[rubedugans]

I have stated (ranted) about this issue with scooters on another thread... about seeing people attempting to go both down, and up cardiac hill on scooters. The down was not an issue (thank goodness they had a horn to let me know to get outta the way) the up...was another story-Picture a heavy set woman in a cart, being pushed by her adult male companion, and 2 kids up the hill in the cart...

The rental agreement specifically states:

All guests using ECVs must follow park rules, the manufacturer's
guidelines and instructions given to the guest during the rental
transaction. Only one guest per ECV or wheelchair is permitted.
Guests between 16 and 18 years of age must have a parent/legal
guardian at least 21 years of age sign the rental agreement.
Please Note: Due to the terrain of the park, guests using these
devices shall follow the designated pathways outlined in the
park map and instructions given at the time of rental. Leaving the
designated pathways may cause the ECV/Wheelchair to become
unstable.

Maps are given to show this route as a NO GO, for carts...but I think some see it as a challenge and not a rule.

[Ozark Outlaw]

The interesting thing is that no matter which route you choose whether it is cardiac hill, mid town, or the hill by Thunderation, you are still going to encounter some degree of inclined terrain. However, that is what makes Silver Dollar City, and the Ozarks for that matter so wonderful!


As far as finding a solution to the "problem," I suppose Silver Dollar City could take the Disney route, and install some type of monorail, or people mover system. However, the hill has been actively used for the past forty, to fifty years, and I personally am not complaining too much. Although whether you are as fit, and in shape as Swoosh, or not, cardiac hill is always tough after a funnel cake, or two.

[How-doFolks]

 face plant themselves on this hill first thing in the morning.

sorry everyone, too funny..

[MissinTheGreenTrams]

Horse and carriage rides! Provided by smartly dressed men and woman of the city. Have a smartly dressed man/woman in the back picking up the inevitable droppings that occur and we are in business!

[Makayna]

Horse and carriage rides! Provided by smartly dressed men and woman of the city. Have a smartly dressed man/woman in the back picking up the inevitable droppings that occur and we are in business!

I love that idea, but I fear it would be nearly impossible to do.  First of all, as you mentioned, there would be, um, waste for somebody to follow behind the horses to pick up (who wants that job?  Anyone?  Anyone?)  Second, that would almost mean that you'd have to completely shut down cardiac hill.  It's NOT that wide.  And as busy as that hill is, despite its incline and its unpopularity for that reason, it would create HORRIBLE traffic issues on all of the other pathways around the park.  And, I know that horses can pull a very heavy load UP a hill, but having that horse carry that same load DOWN a hill of that calibar would be very dangerous.  Plus, you'd have TONS of kids going up and trying to pet the horsies... all it'd take would be ONE kid getting bit, or one horse getting spooked when some prankster pulled the horse's tail and took off running with a cartload of people in the back down cardiac hill for SDC to be smacked right in the face with a heavy lawsuit. 

However, I would LOVE to see horsedrawn carriage rides somewhere else the park in a more controlled environment, and where there ISN'T quite as steep of a hill, perhaps with fences around the area so that little kids don't run underneath the horses' feet and get trampled, or try to constantly run up to the horses to pet them.  Even if they charged a little bit extra for it, I'd still do it!  That would be SOOOOOOOO much fun!!!  I LOVE hay rides!!!

[Nate65807]

@greentrams:
I love the horse ride idea! Fits the theme well.

[Ozark Outlaw]

However, I would LOVE to see horsedrawn carriage rides somewhere else the park in a more controlled environment,

Horse drawn carriage rides used to be one of Silver Dollar City's staple attractions years ago. During my visit two weeks ago, they used a horse drawn carriage for the bride, and groom to ride to their wedding at the Wilderness Church.

If the horse drawn carriage rides won't work safely for the hill, then let's remove the horses out of the equation completely. Perhaps, they could build some sort of ropes, and pulleys contraption that would raise, and lower a carriage on the hill. These are all just fantasy ideas of course, but it's fun to imagine what if. 

[rubedugans]

Like the rope/ ski lift apparatus that pull you up the bunny slopes while skiing eh?

Simply grab a-hold, and WHOOSH...you are off

[Nate65807]

There we go! This is exactly the type of creative thinking I was hoping for