Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

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

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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
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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

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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 
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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 Years
Six Flags begins building new 'record-breaking' roller coaster on Wednesday https://opencoaster.net/@ElToroRyan/116093195168193545    

Kentucky Kingdom gives sneak peak at its 1st new roller coaster since 2019 
Allegiant Announces "Flight #925: Destination Dollywood" for Travelers Headed to the Great Smoky Mountains this November 
Disney Files NEW Permit for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets 
New Jersey man accused of boosting almost $200K of metal from Ferris wheel renovation site
Aurora begins development of new park at former Geauga Lake site 
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