Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

Episode 130 - Round Rage

Side Friction - Episode 130 - "Round Rage" May 30th, 2026 Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic [https://www.youtube.com/@ryantheridemechanic] 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 [https://www.wane.com/top-stories/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 eating nuggets on coaster [https://fox8.com/news/was-a-really-fun-challenge-man-speaks-out-after-cedar-point-bans-him-for-eating-nuggets-on-coaster/] * Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Will be Discontinued for Universal Orlando's Express Pass [https://wdwnt.com/2026/05/hagrids-magical-creatures-motorbike-adventure-will-be-discontinued-for-universal-orlandos-express-pass/] * Hagrid's Equality [https://xcancel.com/UniversalORL/status/2059349941818954047] * SpongeBob, Shrek and Minions are getting a new theme park this summer [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2026/05/28/universal-kids-resort-july-1-opening-ticket-sales/90279458007/] * Frontal Lobe: Home Edition [https://secret.tge1851.com/products/office-roller-coaster] * Frontal Lobe Ride [https://old.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/1to2qt2/i_suddenly_had_the_opportunity_to_ride_frontal/] * A Nearly 100-Year-Old Roller Coaster Reopens This Weekend After Being Shut Down Over Safety Concerns [https://people.com/a-nearly-100-year-old-roller-coaster-returns-this-weekend-after-major-restoration-11982445] * The First Roller Coaster Is Going Up At Oasis, And They Named It 'Shootout': Here's What We Know [https://www.lakeexpo.com/news/lake_news/the-first-roller-coaster-is-going-up-at-oasis-and-they-named-it-shootout-heres/article_11b2d74d-d75a-464d-b480-2994b88776ae.html] * Mattel's immersive indoor water park coming to North Carolina [https://blooloop.com/mattel-water-park-north-carolina/] * Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress refresh to bring new decades, Easter eggs to Tomorrowland classic [https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-parks/2026/05/28/walt-disneys-carousel-of-progress-refresh-to-bring-new-decades-easter-eggs-to-tomorrowland-classic/] Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction [https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction] Web: https://sidefriction.com [https://sidefriction.com] NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Episode 129 - Cheaper than a Ballroom

Side Friction - Episode 129 - "Cheaper than a Ballroom" May 23rd, 2026 Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic [https://www.youtube.com/@ryantheridemechanic] 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 [https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/19/google-search-as-you-know-it-is-over/] * Project Purple, Six Flags coaster coming in 2027. What we know about it [https://www.app.com/story/news/local/jackson-lakewood/jackson/2026/05/18/six-flags-great-adventures-project-purple-coaster-coming-soon/90140601007/] * Cedar Point Officials Address Fans' Claims They Installed Shorter Seat Belts on Beloved Coaster [https://people.com/cedar-point-officials-address-fans-claims-seat-belts-are-shorter-on-beloved-coaster-11978730] * 'Gross negligence': COTA roller coaster riders stuck 120 feet in the air file $1M lawsuit [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gross-negligence-cota-roller-coaster-144635211.html] * Get a First Look at the New Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney World — Including the First Animatronic Muppets [https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/first-look-rock-n-roller-171048260.html] * Disneyland targeted in class-action lawsuit claiming new program is violating guests' privacy [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/disneyland-targeted-class-action-lawsuit-145021799.html] * Bring Disneyland Home With This Gorgeous New Lego Set [https://gizmodo.com/bring-disneyland-home-with-this-gorgeous-new-lego-set-2000760981] * RCT IRL: Roller Coaster Tycoon Ratings in Real Life [https://www.hackster.io/kevin-loeffler/rct-irl-roller-coaster-tycoon-ratings-in-real-life-3545f0] * First look at Nate Bargatze's $350 million Nateland theme park [https://www.presstelegram.com/2026/05/19/first-look-at-nate-bargatzes-350-million-nateland-theme-park/] * Verbolten: Forbidden Turn roller coaster to open at Busch Gardens Williamsburg on May 30 [https://www.wavy.com/living-local/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 [https://people.com/dolly-parton-may-break-long-held-no-roller-coaster-rule-with-dollywood-next-addition-11981189] Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction [https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction] Web: https://sidefriction.com [https://sidefriction.com] NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Episode 128 - Ultra Plywood Canyon

Side Friction - Episode 128 - "Ultra Plywood Canyon" May 16th, 2026 Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic [https://www.youtube.com/@ryantheridemechanic] 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 [https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/entertainment/2026/05/12/cedar-point-morning-rush-offers-early-rides/90047516007/] * Cedar Point's Coastermania is back with 12 exclusive rides. [https://www.aol.com/articles/cedar-points-coastermania-back-12-222406260.html?guccounter=1] * Six Flags Magic Mountain on lockdown as armored police trucks roll in [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/six-flags-magic-mountain-lockdown-181248347.html] * Purple Parking Lot Coaster [https://xcancel.com/SFGrAdventure/status/2054669335621156883] * Man Left Dangling on Suspended 'Tilt' Coaster for Over an Hour Sues Texas Theme Park [https://people.com/amusement-park-sued-for-usd1m-after-ride-malfunction-allegedly-left-guest-with-serious-injury-11974197] * Woman Describes Being Stuck in the Rain for Nearly an Hour on a Roller Coaster [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/woman-describes-being-stuck-rain-003746166.html] * Florida officials launch criminal investigation into death of 31 sloths at now-closed "Sloth World" [https://www.wesh.com/article/florida-officials-launch-criminal-investigation-death-31-sloths-closed-sloth-world/71189792] * Warehouse permitted for cars, not animals [https://www.wesh.com/article/sloth-world-orlando-warehouse-permitted-cars-not-animals-dead-sloths/71122567] * Accreditation | Association of Zoos & Aquariums [https://www.aza.org/accreditation/] * Breaking! Mythos survived nearly every era of Universal Orlando — until now [https://attractionsmagazine.com/mythos-restaurant-closing-universal-orlando-fans-reaction/] * Hersheypark locked in union dispute ahead of its summer opening [https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2026/05/hersheypark-locked-in-union-dispute-ahead-of-its-summer-opening.html] * 'Not the outcome we wanted': Niagara Amusement Park and Splash World won't open for Summer 2026 [https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/niagara-amusement-park-will-not-open-for-summer-2026] * Niagara Amusement Park won't open for 2026 season; Grand Island fireworks still a go [https://www.wnypapers.com/news/article/current/2026/04/30/165970/niagara-amusement-park-wont-open-for-2026-season] * Regal Debuts Reimagined Roller Coaster Intro Before All Showtimes on May 8 [https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/regal-debuts-reimagined-roller-coaster-intro-before-all-showtimes-on-may-8/] Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction [https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction] Web: https://sidefriction.com [https://sidefriction.com] NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Episode 127 - Gone Wild

Side Friction - Episode 127 - "Gone Wild" May 2nd, 2026 Bob, Greg and Steph [https://www.instagram.com/rollercoastersteph?igsh=Y3p4ZzIwYXpod3Mw&utm_source=qr] 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 [https://people.com/over-1-000-teens-storm-icon-park-in-orlando-causing-2-injured-deputies-and-9-arrests-11960054] * Sheriff sends clear warning to stop 2nd planned 'Takeover' of Icon Park [https://www.wftv.com/news/local/deputies-send-clear-warning-stop-2nd-planned-takeover-icon-park/XTTH3B2OVVB4RBMN5ASLMAAPY4/] * Chaos at Six Flags St. Louis opening day as 'large fight' involving 100 people breaks out [https://ew.com/six-flags-st-louis-opening-day-fight-100-people-11960022] * Six Flags ride abruptly shut down over cell phone violation, leaving riders stuck 200ft high [https://www.aol.com/news/six-flags-ride-abruptly-shut-151524071.html] * Ride collapses at amusement park in Brazil, video shows [https://abc7.com/post/ride-collapses-amusement-park-brazil-video-shows/18998409/] * Six Flags New England shares information regarding ride evacuation [https://www.westernmassnews.com/2026/04/28/six-flags-new-england-shares-information-regarding-ride-evacuation/] * Q&A with new Carowinds boss as Six Flags shakes up leadership across its parks [https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article315523094.html] * Thirty-one sloths die in Florida before opening of attraction [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz675j3y151o] * Epic Universe News Update: Open Hub Technology and Fireworks Tests [https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/theme-park-news/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 [https://wjactv.com/news/local/historic-lakemont-park-faces-another-silent-summer-as-leap-the-dips-lawsuit-drags-on] * 2,000 bats, cavern glow-up among wild changes at Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad [https://www.clickorlando.com/theme-parks/2026/04/30/2000-bats-cavern-glow-up-among-wild-changes-at-magic-kingdoms-big-thunder-mountain-railroad/] * Family-Owned Amusement Park Named Best in the U.S. for 2026 — and It's Free to Enter [https://people.com/family-owned-amusement-park-named-best-in-united-states-2026-tripadvisor-11962116] * Knoebels Amusement Resort marks 100th anniversary [https://www.2822news.com/celebrate-250/knoebels-amusement-resort-marks-100th-anniversary/#//] * 3 Bald Eagles Remain Missing from Sanctuary at Dolly Parton's Dollywood After Storm Damaged Enclosure [https://people.com/3-bald-eagles-remain-missing-from-dollywood-sanctuary-after-storm-damaged-enclosure-11960900] * Restored Smithsonian carousel returns to the National Mall [https://www.si.edu/stories/round-and-round-we-go] * 60-Ton Animatronic Dinosaur Bursts Into Flames at Kansas Theme Park After Getting Struck by Lightning [https://people.com/60-ton-dinosaur-bursts-into-flames-at-kansas-theme-park-struck-by-lightning-11959326] * Lightning strike destroys Touchdown Jesus statue [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jun/16/touchdown-jesus-statue-burns-down] Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction [https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction] Web: https://sidefriction.com [https://sidefriction.com] NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Episode 126 - Balls

Side Friction - Episode 126 - "Balls" April 25th, 2026 Bob, Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic [https://www.youtube.com/@ryantheridemechanic] and Steph [https://www.instagram.com/rollercoastersteph?igsh=Y3p4ZzIwYXpod3Mw&utm_source=qr] 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 [https://blooloop.com/six-flags-names-park-presidents/] * Possible sale of Six Flags parks to Herschend [https://old.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/comments/1spb60i/six_flags_possible_sale_of_six_flags_parks_to/] * Rumor Additional Six Flags Parks Up For Sale? [https://parkfans.net/threads/additional-six-flags-parks-up-for-sale.9080/] * Jeffrey Siebert Leaves Six Flags [https://www.instagram.com/p/DXX9hapCS1R/?igsh=MW95MHlncXN2bmZxdg==] * Quantum Accelerator valleyed [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOn6Ya6MzLU&t=331s] * Cedar Point gate tickets to exceed $100 [https://sanduskyregister.com/news/893503/cedar-point-gate-tickets-to-exceed-100/] * 3 sue Six Flags St. Louis for waterslide injuries [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/3-sue-six-flags-st-100717893.html?guccounter=1] * Hersheypark backs off mask guidance after backlash [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/amusement-parks/2026/04/22/hersheypark-pauses-face-covering-guidance-backlash/89737065007/] * Disney Parks Brings Back "Ladies and Gentlemen" [https://thatparkplace.com/disney-parks-brings-back-ladies-and-gentlemen/] * COTALAND, Austin's first major theme park, expected to open this summer [https://www.kxan.com/news/local/travis-county/cotaland-austins-first-major-theme-park-expected-to-open-this-summer/] * Wild Moose on the loose [https://xcancel.com/ParkObsession/status/2046990047573143943/] * Camden Park selling vintage Ferris wheel cars [https://www.wsaz.com/2026/04/21/camden-park-selling-vintage-ferris-wheel-cars/] * Disneyland loosens up on facial recognition [https://nypost.com/2026/04/23/lifestyle/disneyland-loosens-up-on-facial-recognition-upon-theme-park-entry/] * Eddie's House of Monsters at Indiana Beach [https://www.indianabeach.com/experiences/eddies-house-of-monsters/] Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction [https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction] Web: https://sidefriction.com [https://sidefriction.com] NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH