Side Friction - Episode 96 - "Bluer”

September 13th, 2025

Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic are joined by CoasterBro (aka Caleb) of Coaster Cuzzies this week while Greg spends time with his family.

• The 2025 Golden Ticket Awards honor 27 winners, presented live from Carowinds
• Judge sides with resident in Conneaut Lake Park dispute
• Fate of Columbia County man's backyard roller coaster uncertain after losing appeal
• LA buys Griffith Park Carousel
• Nine Inch Nails To Soundtrack Disney Roller Coaster
• Maurer to present new Spike Racer innovations at IAAPA Expo Europe 2025
• Nate Bargatze Is Hoping to Build 'Nateland' Theme Parks
• Riders evacuated from Hersheypark rollercoaster
• Peanuts license at Six Flags parks extended through 2030
• Silver Dollar City, O’Reilly Auto Parts partner for theme park transit department
• Six Flags America's Boo Fest
• Batwing closed permanently
• Oaks Park is auctioning off its original roller coaster tub
  • Zoom Coaster - Oaks Amusement Park (Portland, Oregon, United States)

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 95 - "Show Me the Weather”

September 6th, 2025

Another week means another episode of Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talking about the dumpster fire that just consumes theme park news, how Disney has it's own problems, and a bunch of other stuff.

• Who is shocked by this one? Six flags extends their MVP Sale
• What’s next for Six Flags? Cedar Point parent faces park sell-off, possible bankruptcy
  • Six Flags bankruptcy fears mount as brand eyes sale after abruptly shuttering two parks and suffering $500 million blow
• Disney theme parks quietly abandon middle-class travelers
• Man speaks out after rescuing boy walking on Hersheypark monorail
• Austin’s first tilt roller coaster nears finish line
  • High Stakes, High Speed: What You Need To Know About F1's Return to Vegas
• Trial begins in lawsuit against Colorado theme park after 6-year-old's fall to her death
• Busch Gardens closing Stanley Falls Flume after 52 years
• Kennywood cancels 21-plus nights due to fights, reiterates "Zero-Tolerance" policy
• The Legacy of Schwarzkopf

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 94 - "Electric Mayhem”

August 30th, 2025

Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic go a lot lighter on Six Flags (well, relatively) this week with one of the more varied assortment of news stories with some mile rabbit trails thrown in as a bonus.

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets: What to Expect
• Kings Island announces revival of beloved ride with modern upgrades
• The Legacy of Schwarzkopf
• Knott’s Berry Farm Locks Up Your Wallet
• Boy, 10, hospitalized after electric shock on bumper car at Israeli amusement park
• Flying Turns: Chicago’s Riverview Park ride is reborn at Knoebels Amusement Resort
• Appetronix robot arm might make your food in a theme park soon
• X2 coaster gets a little TLC at Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Downed trees cut power to Knoebels
• Disneyland ends early access privilege and introduces Lightning Lane
• Waldameer’s Original Endless River Closing; New Water Rides Coming in 2026 - Erie News Now
• Multiple women banned from Kennywood Park after fight breaks out on adults-only night

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 93 - "Unhitched”

August 23rd, 2025

Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic (as well as the entire community) can't get away from Six Flags so join them for another dive into the mess that circles the chain. Even if Six Flags isn't your thing this episodes doesn't forget about you.

• Dragon wagon loses part on the track
• Kings Island Teaser
• Six Flags to Cut 2026 Capital Spending on New Rides in the US at Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Other Parks Amid Attendance Decline
• Big changes coming this year to Cedar Point's Halloweekends: What to know before you go
• Six Flags is under investigation for fraud as it tries to reel in more visitors
  • Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Lawsuit
• Iconic roller coaster opens for the first time this season
• Lagoon's legacy: 3 generations of family business
• Lagoon’s 2026 Attraction?
• Kennywood hosting two 21-plus nights
• British man rides 55 different roller coasters in one week
• Bubba from 100.7 Star breaks record on Kennywood's Steel Curtain roller coaster

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 92 - "Closed for Litigation”

August 16th, 2025

Yes, more Six Flags talk from Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic but entertaining and a shorter duration this week. If you are tired of Six Flags, don't worry, plenty of other stuff besides Six Flags gets addressed as well.

• Carowinds Guests Blindsided as Entire Park Suddenly Closes—Here’s What We Know
  • JOANN Fabrics, Party City, Toys R Us, Red Lobster — private equity drove all of them to the ground
  • Did sirens curse Cedar Point? Power Tower breaks, roller coasters shut down, evacuated
• After Cedar Point coaster breakdowns, Ohio legislator pushes for change. See the proposal
• Final days of beloved TX amusement park brings a 'roller coaster of emotions’
• The Construction of Six Flags Great Adventure's New Roller Coaster Is Interesting
• Thirteen children hurt in pleasure park ride accident and police issue update
  • Wacky worm gets hooked Coney Beach Pleasure Park in Porthcawl
• Tropical Americas News Update: Construction, Permits, and Rumors for Animal Kingdom
• Shaquille O’Neal roller coaster overlay coming to Hersheypark
• Lagoon test roller coaster collides with HVAC technician allegedly causing ‘permanent disfigurement,’ park denies claims
• Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster will permanently close next week - WFTV

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 91 - "Six Flags Fatigue”

August 9th, 2025

A few little things happened at Six Flags this week so Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic dive in with just a small helping of the complete wasteland that the chain has seemingly become almost overnight. If you stick through all the bad news (presented in a hopefully entertaining way) you'll get to hear all about Greg's trip to Japan.

• Six Flags Mexico Unveils Speedway Stunt Coaster for 2026 - Coaster101
• Six Flags out Six Flagged themselves
  • Six Flags calls off Fright Fest during Bowie park’s final season
  • No Christmas spirit: Six Flags Over Georgia cancels Holiday in the Park
  • Six Flags Great Adventure cancels Holiday in the Park and delays Kingda Ka coaster replacement
  • Six Flags CEO Richard Zimmerman stepping down
  • Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Reports 2025 Second Quarter Results
  • Shareholders Elect Four Independent Directors to the Six Flags Board
• Police release review after child drowns at Hersheypark
• '360 Degree' amusement park ride breaks in half in Saudi Arabia
• Universal Orlando and WWE team up for Halloween Horror Nights Haunt based on the Wyatt Sicks
• Lake Compounce set to retire Holiday Lights event after 2025 season
• Herschend sells three parks to bowling alley company following Palace acquisition
• ええじゃないかってどんなアトラクション?
• Bye-bye Snoopy?

Side Friction - Episode 90 - "Six Flags 2: The Search for More Money”

July 26th, 2025

Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic take control of the show since Greg decided coasters in Japan were more important (ok, we would too). Various news stories get discussed with a couple bombshells, especially one you wouldn't expect Bob to say.

• Roller Coaster Glitches For Fourth Time in Just Weeks
• Six Flags America up for sale in August
• Too expensive to ride: Readers say Kings Island is no longer for the middle class
• Kings Dominion announces unprecedented benefit with 2026 Season Pass
• Possible measles exposure reported at Albuquerque amusement park
• Blackpool Pleasure Beach Express Derails
• Get Ready To Catch 'Em All At PokéPark Kanto, Opening Soon At Japan's Yomiuriland
• I Transported Kingda Ka. Here’s Everything You Need to Know
• B&M’s are like babies: they always have a rattle!

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 89 - "Where Are We?”

July 19th, 2025

Join Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic as they visit the news and somehow end up wandering through the woods. If you are a fan of episodes that feature rabbit trails you'll love this stream of consciousness.

• Kennywood inspects Steel Curtain after guest hit by flying foam pad
• Maurer Rides brings world-first interactive indoor roller coaster to HI SPACE
• FULL TOUR of the National Roller Coaster Museum!
• ZDT's Amusement Park Closes August 17th
• LMPD says 2 reports of shootings at Expo Center were false
• Blast off! Legoland Florida announces details for new indoor roller coaster
• ParkFans reports upcharges coming for Six Flag's Haunt
• Major changes coming to Cedar Point causeway
• Ride Roller Coasters At Home With A Seated Motion Simulator & Haptics
  • Play Disney Coaster (DOS Game)
• Fire Runner Debuts 7/18/2025
• West Virginia’s First Mountain Coaster Now Open in Mercer County

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com