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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Side Friction - Episode 126 - "Balls"

April 25th, 2026

Bob, Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Steph talk about..... everything? While touching upon huge park rumors and other industry news it seems like every corner brings another rabbit trail and tons of laughs.

• Six Flags names park presidents returning to 10 properties | blooloop
  • Possible sale of Six Flags parks to Herschend
  • Rumor Additional Six Flags Parks Up For Sale?
• Jeffrey Siebert Leaves Six Flags
• Quantum Accelerator valleyed
• Cedar Point gate tickets to exceed $100
• 3 sue Six Flags St. Louis for waterslide injuries
• Hersheypark backs off mask guidance after backlash
• Disney Parks Brings Back "Ladies and Gentlemen"
• COTALAND, Austin's first major theme park, expected to open this summer
• Wild Moose on the loose
• Camden Park selling vintage Ferris wheel cars
• Disneyland loosens up on facial recognition
• Eddie's House of Monsters at Indiana Beach

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 125 - "Temu Hat"

April 18th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk forever about all kinds of fun things and that's before the show gets going and then the randomness kicks up the entertainment even while talking about the numerous stories from the industry this week. This may be one of the best episodes of the show and you'll not want to skip it.

• Preshow talk
  • BFRO Report 80011
  • Spaceballs: The New One
  • Hershey to resume using chocolate in most products; Reese's grandson may taste sweet victory
  • Bigfoot in Ohio? Reports of 'sightings' are going viral on social media
• Six Flags reverses course and brings back park presidents
• Six Flags New England unveils Quantum Accelerator roller coaster
• Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers
  • Cedar Point will technically have one less roller coaster this year - mlive.com
• Disney reveals opening date, setlist for revamped Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets
• Mickey Mouse's sorcerer hat returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios
• New Universal Studios roller coaster goes full throttle with real people onboard
• Something Was Spotted at Newest Universal Park That Suggests a Big Access Change Is Coming
• Universal Orlando now offering single-use Universal Express "Express Now" option
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg reveals 2026 roller coaster, Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
• North Carolina's iconic Wizard of Oz theme park known as 'Land of Oz' to reopen after Helene
• Kennywood Park celebrates anniversaries and new attractions for 2026 season

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 124 - "Show Some Restraint"

April 11th, 2026

Bob, Greg and CoasterBro (from Coaster Cuzzies) talk about enchantment, monsters, wolves, and some roller coaster stuff too recapping the news of the week.

• How $65 can get you into eight theme parks -Enchanted Parks pass details
• Six Flags Cedar Point removes classic 'Monster' ride
• Kings Island: Perks & Play Season Passholder Preview
• Maryland-native Kevin Durant's investment group buys former Six Flags property
  • What Prince George's Co. doesn't want at the Six Flags site
• Parents charged with child endangerment after incident at ZooAmerica
• How a costume maker convinced Hersheypark to 'chocolatize' their old‑timey theme park
• A surprise new Superman game hopes to break a gaming curse, but it's also locked in one location
• Knoebels releasing "Images of America" book for 100th season
• Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening date set
• New ride coming to Arnolds Park Amusement Park
  • https://www.verticalreality.com/

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 123 - "Hungry for More"

April 4th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about tech frustrations in and out of the industry, Disney mishaps, Universal, various other stories.... and a lot of food for some reason. A slightly shorter episode than normal but just as entertaining.

• Is Disney building a new theme park in Cincinnati, Ohio? Fact check
• Disney park visitors traumatized as crows attack Rapunzel in distressing video: 'Definitely tangled now'
• 'Olaf just melted': Video shows brand new 'Frozen' robot freeze, topple over at Disney park
• Disney World selling park tickets for entry after 2 p.m.
• Demolition Work Starting in Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure
• World's Largest Rubber Duck to nest at Holiday World before summer kicks off
• RollerCoaster Tycoon YouTuber builds ride lasting 194 quattorseptuagintillion years
• Knott's Berry Farm to open reimagined Montezooma coaster this summer
• An iconic Jersey Shore amusement park wheel is being restored and reconstructed in Phoenixville
• Phantom Theater Photos

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 122 - "Milking the Rumors"

March 28th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Steph have everything to talk about this week. United Parks gets sued, Six Flags continues their soap opera, tons of rumors flying around, and new stuff is coming as the season is rapidly approaching.

• Feds sue Busch Gardens and SeaWorld over 'rollator walkers' ban
• Six Flags announces board shakeup amid pressure, changes to theme parks
• New attractions inspired by the Jersey Shore coming to Six Flags Great Adventure
• Worlds of Fun announces return of iconic Timber Wolf roller coaster this summer
• Rumor: Waldameer 2027 Shipment from Vekoma
• Is the Cyclone Coaster Coming Back to Colorado's Lakeside Amusement Park in 2026?
  • Come ride the Cyclone
• Rumor: This will be Elitch's last year
• Rumor: ANOTHER RMC Coaster Coming To New Jersey?!
• Disney's deal with OpenAI, which the companies struck in December, will be dissolved.
• Screaming Centipede
• Lake Winnie new coaster
• Tweetsie Railroad
• Kennywood Preps For Upcoming Season: New Events, Eateries Added
• Stardust Racers Reopens Ahead of Schedule at Epic Universe

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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