Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

Side Friction - Episode 135 - "Copy, Paste, Ride" July 4th, 2026 Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about the latest industry news, tracking executives between park chains, Roller Coaster Tycoon, and whatever else happens to pop up. Holiday World unveils plans for 22 million USD water coaster Comcast announces NBCUniversal spinoff; what it means for Universal theme parks Six Flags site red...

Side Friction - Episode 134 - "Gargantuan Vertical Waterfall" June 27th, 2026 Bob, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Steph talk about some disappointing news, weird news, and then a few bits of good news with a whole lot of extra conversation in between in another entertaining episode. Realistic Mario - Oren Brimer as Luigi   Disney details plans to make dark ride vehicles disappear    Fun Spot to close...

Side Friction - Episode 133 - "Get Stuck, Have Fun, Don't Die" June 20th, 2026 Bob, Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic have a fun collection of news stories along with more ride stoppages, the AI invastion, and share an example of why martial arts may not be ideal for automation. Hersheypark, GIANT Center union workers ratify contract, company says Star-Spangled Laff Trakk 4 rescued after ride stalls 12...

Side Friction - Episode 132 - "The Don" June 13th, 2026 Bob, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Steph know it's not winter because it's hot outside but with all the announcements this week you'd think it was winter. This is a show you'll certainly want to listen to not only because it's a fun show but because there's a ton of cool stuff being talked about this week. Waldameer Unveils New 'Eagle's Pursuit'...

Side Friction - Episode 131 - "Rescue 1-0-0" June 6th, 2026 Bob and Greg present a shorter show but one with some interesting (and some unexpected) stories. Everyone In This LEGO Dispute Should Have Spoken To A Lawyer Earlier Than They Did   Hersheypark Contract Offer Rejected; Strike Authorized   Watch rescue after rollercoaster stalls 100ft in the air How Galveston firefighters rescued 8 Houston...

Side Friction - Episode 130 - "Round Rage" May 30th, 2026 Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic start with the expected chicken nugget story, well, after a rabbit trail of course. The rest of the show covers about an equal mix of news and rabbit trails. Cedar Point guest gets lifetime ban from Six Flags parks for roller coaster stunt 'I understand': Man speaks out after Cedar Point bans him for ea...

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...

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 ex...

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  ...

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 S...

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...

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 Pre...

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...

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, chan...

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...

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 B...

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...

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...

Side Friction - Episode 117 - "Flares and Orange Vests" February 21st, 2026 Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic hold down the fort since Greg is a little under the weather this week but there is plenty to talk about starting off with Six Flags and ending with Geauga Lake. Six Flags 2025 Results Six Flags (FUN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript Beloved Roller Coaster Is Permanently Shutting Down After 33...

Side Friction - Episode 116 - "Dragon Fire" February 14th, 2026 Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about the scraps of news this week amongst rabbit trails that are sure to entertain. Social media age verification is full of risks and unclear rewards   Alton Towers U-turns on plan to restrict disability pass for people with ADHD and autism   Beloved Theme Park Files for Bankruptcy 4 Years A...

Side Friction - Episode 115 - "The Search for More Gold" February 7th, 2026 Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic are back to finding rabbit trails in an episode that finally has some bigger news stories and a lot of real time surprises. New Gold Pass Benefit: Visit Regional Six Flags Parks for Free Six Flags changes filming policy for roller coaster POVs Kings Island announces return of classic ri...

Side Friction - Episode 114 - "Blizzard Beach IRL" January 31st, 2026 Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic have another slower news week but we get to hear about the Netherlands from Ryan as well as everything freezing over. Rare Extreme Cold Watch Issued for Walt Disney World: Wind Chills Could Drop to 7F Degrees Canada gives conditional approval for Marineland to export remaining belugas to the...

Side Friction - Episode 113 - "Snow Drift" January 24th, 2026 Bob, Greg and Caleb take a break from preparing for the snow and ice this weekend to talk about Universal, Mattel, Bluey, and a collection of other news stories in the industry. Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift – Opening in Florida In 2027   Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (Orlando) construction timelapse...

Side Friction - Episode 112 - "Enchanted Bar Crawl" January 17th, 2026 Bob, Greg and Steph talk about an assortment of news including an infamous story from back when Steph was a regular on the show. We're sure you'll not only find this episode interesting but highly entertaining. Robin Williams Standup - Golf  (full version)   More shocking Six Flags park changes could be on the way, trademark do...

Side Friction - Episode 111 - "Fight or Flight" January 10th, 2026 Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic take a quick visit to a few stories circulating in a short but fun episode. More weather … really? Six Flags Announces Decision Regarding Six Flags Over Texas Partnership Call Option Six Flags Over Texas Teases Improvements to Mr. Freeze & Runaway Mine Train   Six Flags issues $1 billion junk bo...