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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Side Friction - Episode 121 - "Keep Your Wood"

March 21st, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic cover a whole lot of stuff this week including a whole bunch of potential wood coaster revivals as well as corporations being corporations and United Parks being, well, United Parks. Amongst all of the news there are plenty of laughs and rabbit trails to keep this an entertaining episode you won't want to miss.

• SeaWorld sued over mishandling 'Sesame Street' brand, unpaid royalties
• Jana Partners pushes Six Flags to explore sale, replace board chair, letter says
• Storm tears open historic Rye Playland music tower
• Rye Playland Sets 2026 Opening Dates and Fees, Confirms Dragon Coaster Comeback
  • Playland's Iconic Dragon Coaster Getting Back on Track
• Rampage at Alabama Adventure to Reopen in Summer of 2026!
• Lakeside Cyclone Work?
• World's of Fun Titan Teaser
• Behind the Bricks of Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND
• This 100-Year-Old Amusement Park Still Hasn't Lost Its Retro Charm
  • 100 Years of Knoebels
• WhiteWater's Vantage platform selected by Enchanted Parks
  • Vantage's Smart Park Platform
  • Vantage at Island H2O Live! Waterpark in Kissimmee, Florida

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 120 - "Half Dozen Wings"

March 14th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic go so far off the rails this week that they likely left the park a few times. A fair amount of news gets covered, some speculation, and lots of rabbit trail all combine for an incredibly fun episode.

• Travis Kelce Joins Six Flags as Brand Ambassador for 2026
• The Family Auto Mart
• Six Flags Park Begins Major Revitalization Ahead of 2026 Season as Company Sells off 7 Properties
• Disneyland hazmat incident sends seven cast members to hospital
• Stardust Racers closure extended again at Epic Universe, now through April 5
• Guests sent to hospital after 'ride pause' made them feel unwell, SeaWorld Orlando says
• Belugas facing euthanasia at shuttered Canada theme park may find new homes in US
• Muskegon County leaders react to sale of Michigan's biggest amusement park
• Swimming beach next up for Geauga Lake redevelopment
• Tyler center displays Idora Park artifacts

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 119 - "Mammoth Deal"

March 7th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about huge news... you might even call it mammoth! There's only a couple real stories this week but you'll hear lots of entertaining information and stories in the abundance of rabbit trails this week.

• 2026 New Attraction
• Wild Adventures launches 30th anniversary season
  • The Harlem Globetrotters want to join the NBA
• Looking Forward: A New Chapter for Six Flags
  • Six Flags to Sell Off 7 Beloved Amusement Parks Around the Country amid Financial Woes
  • EPR Properties - Wikipedia
  • EPR Properties Announces Definitive Agreements to Acquire Portfolio of Seven Regional Parks
  • Enchanted Parks acquires multiple Six Flags properties
• Websites:
  • Enchanted Parks
  • IAM (Innovative Attraction Management)
  • EPR Properties

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 118 - "Omaha's Biggest"

February 28th, 2026

Bob, Greg and especially Ryan the Ride Mechanic are in rare form tonight as the rabbit trails hit some pretty funny moments -- especially starting the show off. Plenty of news gets talked about to keep you up to date.

• You Care What We Think: Biggest Cock In Omaha
• United Parks & Resorts Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Results
• Stardust Racers Refurbishment Extended Again at Epic Universe
• Twin Brothers Allegedly Injured on New Harry Potter Ride at Universal Orlando After It 'Thrusted Erratically' Mid-Ride
• A Theme Park with Spongebob AND Jurassic World? Universal Kids Resort Deep Dive
• Doswell Virginia Industrial & Infrastructure Opportunity
• Six Flags says 'We want you back' | New CEO's plans for future
• Does Dolly Parton have competition? Nate Bargatze's Nashville theme park plans
• Kennywood restores iconic trash can for upcoming season
• Super Bowl LX players lose thousands to California's 'jock tax' on athlete income
• Disney World's Villains Land Is Pivoting Away From Scaring Kids
• Disneyland abandoned plans for Disney Villains land, report says
• A Beloved Amusement Park Nearly Closed for Good 6 Years Ago. Now It's Preparing for Its 100th Birthday

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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