Side Friction - Episode 129 - "Cheaper than a Ballroom"

May 23rd, 2026

Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic have a lot of fun and entertaining conversations about the recent news in the park industry and step into the tech industry a bit including an incredibly cool project you can build.

• Google Search as you know it is over
• Project Purple, Six Flags coaster coming in 2027. What we know about it
• Cedar Point Officials Address Fans' Claims They Installed Shorter Seat Belts on Beloved Coaster
• 'Gross negligence': COTA roller coaster riders stuck 120 feet in the air file $1M lawsuit
• Get a First Look at the New Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney World — Including the First Animatronic Muppets
• Disneyland targeted in class-action lawsuit claiming new program is violating guests' privacy
• Bring Disneyland Home With This Gorgeous New Lego Set
• RCT IRL: Roller Coaster Tycoon Ratings in Real Life
• First look at Nate Bargatze's $350 million Nateland theme park
• Verbolten: Forbidden Turn roller coaster to open at Busch Gardens Williamsburg on May 30
• Why Dolly Parton Doesn't Ride the Coasters at Dollywood — and Why She Might Finally Break Her Own Rule

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 128 - "Ultra Plywood Canyon"

May 16th, 2026

Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic are back to talk about a selection of dumb park moves, Six Flags Themeing, parks that are closing (and aren't) as well as some other random stuff including the typical off the rails talk mixed in.

• Cedar Point cancels 'Morning Rush' after fan outcry
• Cedar Point's Coastermania is back with 12 exclusive rides.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain on lockdown as armored police trucks roll in
• Purple Parking Lot Coaster
• Man Left Dangling on Suspended 'Tilt' Coaster for Over an Hour Sues Texas Theme Park
• Woman Describes Being Stuck in the Rain for Nearly an Hour on a Roller Coaster
• Florida officials launch criminal investigation into death of 31 sloths at now-closed "Sloth World"
  • Warehouse permitted for cars, not animals
  • Accreditation | Association of Zoos & Aquariums
• Breaking! Mythos survived nearly every era of Universal Orlando — until now
• Hersheypark locked in union dispute ahead of its summer opening
• 'Not the outcome we wanted': Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World won't open for Summer 2026
  • Niagara Amusement Park won't open for 2026 season; Grand Island fireworks still a go
• Regal Debuts Reimagined Roller Coaster Intro Before All Showtimes on May 8

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 127 - "Gone Wild"

May 2nd, 2026

Bob, Greg and Steph keep rabbit trails to a minimum this week but that's only because a lot of the stories in the news are entertaining enough so there is plenty to laugh at even amongst some of the negative stories for the week.

• Over 1,000 Teens Storm Icon Park in Orlando as Fights Break Out and Deputies Are Injured, Leading to 9 Arrests
  • Sheriff sends clear warning to stop 2nd planned 'Takeover' of Icon Park
• Chaos at Six Flags St. Louis opening day as 'large fight' involving 100 people breaks out
• Six Flags ride abruptly shut down over cell phone violation, leaving riders stuck 200ft high
• Ride collapses at amusement park in Brazil, video shows
• Six Flags New England shares information regarding ride evacuation
• Q&A with new Carowinds boss as Six Flags shakes up leadership across its parks
• Thirty-one sloths die in Florida before opening of attraction
• Epic Universe News Update: Open Hub Technology and Fireworks Tests
• Court fight puts local coaster at risk as county alleges lease violations at Lakemont Park
• 2,000 bats, cavern glow-up among wild changes at Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Family-Owned Amusement Park Named Best in the U.S. for 2026 — and It's Free to Enter
  • Knoebels Amusement Resort marks 100th anniversary
• 3 Bald Eagles Remain Missing from Sanctuary at Dolly Parton's Dollywood After Storm Damaged Enclosure
• Restored Smithsonian carousel returns to the National Mall
• 60-Ton Animatronic Dinosaur Bursts Into Flames at Kansas Theme Park After Getting Struck by Lightning
  • Lightning strike destroys Touchdown Jesus statue

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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