Side Friction - Episode 83 - "Cinnamon Tah-heemie Fries”

May 31st, 2025

Ryan is back! After a few weeks of guests and specials the guys are back to normal (well, normal for them) covering the news and whatever else comes up. Join Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic for a fun filled episode.

• Six Flags to cut 135 jobs at Knott's, Magic Mountain and other California parks
• PortAventura Unveils the First Mixed Reality Roller Coaster Experience
• 'It's back, better than ever': Steel Curtain reopens at Kennywood Park after 13-month closure
• Kennywood now officially acquired by owners of Dollywood
• Graeter’s rolls out new flavor inspired by legendary Kings Island roller coaster
• Cotaland Races into Amusement Park Fun
  • RCDB Cotaland
• National Amusement Park Historical Association Best List
  • RCDB Olympia Looping - Wiener Prater

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 82 - "When It's Ready”

May 24th, 2025

Bob and Greg welcome Rick and Brian Knoebel from Knoebels Amusement Resort on the show this week to talk about what's going on at the park. It's a great time with some great stories and an episode you won't want to miss.

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 81 - "Barnyard Breakout”

May 17th, 2025

This week we have CoasterBro filling in for Ryan joining Bob and Greg in a very farmland centric episode.

• Cedar Point animals escape from petting zoo for 3rd time in 1 year
• Hellcat is getting tamed
• Proof that Top Thrill is Toothless
• Herschend launches $1.1bn loan to fund acquisition of theme parks
• Universal’s Epic Universe will drive more guests to Disney World, says parks boss
• NRCMA: Four historic roller coaster cars saved and preserved
• Six Flags Darien Lake reopens for the season Friday
  • Close Up look at new trains for Mind Eraser
• This beloved southern Indiana amusement park was just featured on Jeopardy!
• Baton Rouge's Blue Bayou Water Park won't open this summer

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 80 - "Bearly There”

May 10th, 2025

Airtime Myke fills in for Ryan and joins Bob and Greg to discuss the news and.... well, of course Bob and Myke throw opinions around all over the place. It's a long one but a ton of fun.

• Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Reports 2025 First Quarter Results
• Millennium Force Valley
• Top Thrill 2 rollback trouble? What happened to the Cedar Point roller coaster opening dayl
• Can you find Bob
• Montezooma’s Revenge reimagining progresses with new track delivery
• Disney announces an Abu Dhabi theme park and resort
• From the rollercoasters community on Reddit: National Roller Coaster Museum
  • is the Roller Coaster Museum a SCAM?
• Kennywood announces reopening date for Steel Curtain
• Woman Rides Rollercoaster Through Smoky Mountains, Then the Bears Appear

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 79 - "Shipping Not Included”

May 3rd, 2025

Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic might give you some whiplash with this episode but with all there is to talk about this week it's hard not to. The Zimm Reaper strikes again while Zamperla saves history and a certain museum is so poor they can't even ship stuff -- and that's just a few of the things you'll find out about.

• Six Flags Announces Plan to Close Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor After 2025 Season
• Back from the Eej
• Westchester issues emergency order to hire firm to fix Playland rides, expedite opening
• Cedar Point set to reopen May 3 with revamped Top Thrill 2
• Epic Universe Preview Tickets Now Open to Everyone
• Iron Dragon Height Requirement
• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to get new 'record-breaking' ride as more e attractions planned at Yas Island
• NRCMA wants you to pay for shipping
• World's largest rubber duck returning to western Pennsylvania in June

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 78 - "Just Add Paint”

April 26th, 2025

Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic have a ton of fun with this episode. Covering the news and a healthy dose of rabbit trails for some reason this episode just seems to have brought a lot more laughs than normal.

• 2 new stores open at Hersheypark
• Quantum Accelerator Train Reveal - Six Flags New England
• Kings Island honors Cincinnati with renamed roller coaster for 2025 season
• Six Flags Gets 'Serious About Fun.' In the Silliest Way
• Six Flags Darien Lake Unveils Highlights of the 2025 Season
• Tennessee Tornado sees red
• Knoebels set to open for 99th season
• Coast2Coaster is alive

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 77 - "Augmented Timbers”

April 19th, 2025

Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic go on a roller coaster of news with happy, sad, and frustrating news all making an appearance. Also plenty of fun stories and thoughts to be heard as well.

• Fyre Festival 2 ‘Does Not Exist’ According To Isla Mujeres Tourism Board, Organizer Still Claims It’s 'Real’
• Superman Ride of Steel SFA gets New Trains
• Shivering Timbers Track?
• Camp Snoopy Bird Watchers Club
• AlpenFury Drone Shots
• Vekoma coming to America
• Grand National Scenic Rollercoaster at risk
• Waldameer's plans include new rides and a new name for an old attraction
• Houston residents want a new theme park, UH poll finds
• Story Land New Hampshire Expands 21+ 'Nostalgia Nights' in 2025
• GREAT SCOTT! Is This a CLUE About What's Coming to Universal UK

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

Side Friction - Episode 76 - "Sequential Parks”

April 12th, 2025

Greg, Bob, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic don't have a lot of news but they talk about what they do have and find plenty of rabbit trails to play around with.

• Movie based on popular global chocolate company to make stop in Pittsburgh
• Epic Universe Annual Pass Preview Tickets for Sale – Apr 17 to May 8
• Cedar Point's Top Thrill 2 gets inspected this week. When will it open? What we know
• Universal theme park for Bedfordshire confirmed by Starmer
  • James Bond and Paddington could star at Universal UK
• Technician says Florida thrill ride operator ignored his safety concerns before teen's fatal fall

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com