Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

Side Friction - Episode 149 - "SBF Infinity"
November 7th, 2026
Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about a bunch of new, if smaller, coasters coming to parks next year as well as talking about some Universal, Six Flags, and Disney happenings.
McDonald's must face lawsuit over McRib, US judge rules  A Conspiracy of Hogs: The McRib as Arbitrage 

New all-indoor roller coaster coming to Universal Epic Universe in Orlando
Kentucky Kingdom to get 'world's largest' indoor wooden roller coaster    
Adventureland roars into its 65th year with two tiger-themed rides
New Family Roller Coaster Coming to Canobie Lake Park in New Hampshire
United Parks CEO promises Busch Gardens Tampa Bay improvements, continued investment
Waldameer COO provides update on new roller coaster
Disneyland Is Testing Life-Size Cars Characters as Parking Lot Attendants
New details released about dead beluga whales rescued from Canada amusement park
Six Flags CEO seeks to reassure investors, raises possibility of selling more parks
Six Flags Magic Mountain offers free season passes to senior citizens       
Universal Orlando replaces Jaws, Kong and Jurassic Park parking garage themes 
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Side Friction - Episode 148 - "Buckle Up"
October 31st, 2026
Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic  get to start out with something other than Goliath and then, well, they talk about Goliath before going into a few other things that are happening. 
Kentucky Kingdom - New Coaster Press Conference Schedule 

Update from John Reilly, Six Flags President and CEO Goliath restraint learning and failure part 2 
Did someone stand up on Beast? 

ArieForce One coaster coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Magic Mountain unveils ambitious investment plan 

N.J. Police Say They're 'Increasing Patrols' After Social Media Post Encourages Break-Ins at Shuttered 119-Year-Old Amusement Park
UMD Thrill Rides Club gears up to participate in national roller coaster design competition
Maurer Rides introduces the Spike PM360 transportainment system
Woman starts petition to bring Corkscrew back to RI 
Holiday World 'crowns' new Cannonball roller coaster ahead of grand opening 
Layoffs reach Disney's theme parks division, at least 100 people impacted
Universal Orlando Resort's fan-favorite, original holiday character, Earl the Squirrel, will soar as a larger-than-life balloon during the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 
Amusement ride designed to mimic the Titanic's sinking receives backlash 
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Side Friction - Episode 147 - "4"
October 24th, 2026
Bob, Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Steph talk more about the Goliath incident and the effects it's having on the industry as well as some Universal and Disney weirdness.
PHP Remote Code Execution 
eMudhra Intermediate Certificates Compromised 
State report details Cedar Point Millennium Force coaster mishap Another Six Flags Coaster Closes for Inspection After Piece of Car Breaks Off and Lands in Guest Area
Cedar Point roller coaster resumes regular operations after bracket comes loose from ride car

Hersheypark opens Candymonium coaster following Six Flags coaster death | ABC27 
SeaWorld Orlando reopens Mako after temporary closure following Six Flags death
Six Flags Reopens Goliath Coaster in California That Closed After Tragic Death at Georgia Park
Achterbahn bei Rust: „Silver Star" im Europa-Park fährt trotz US-Unfall | swp.de 
Six Flags Stock Pressured After Roller Coaster Tragedy but More Turbulence May Be Ahead
Six Flags renames Fright Fest show after fatal Georgia roller coaster fall
Cobb County Press Conference 
Six Flags Mexico Updates and News 2026 | New Attraction Construction Begins
Universal cites competitors' strategy and Epic Universe ride challenges as attendance falls
Walt Disney World Confirms Major Reservation Change Effective October 26 
IAAPA Launches Insurance Program for Amusement & Attractions Industry
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Side Friction - Episode 146 - "Kankakee"
October 16th, 2026
Bob, Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Steph talk mostly about the incident that occured this week at Six Flags Over Georgia on Goliath and later change speeds to throw in a few stories and lots of rabbit trails to balance out the heaviness of the incident.
NOTE: Please be aware that this show was recorded on October 15th and since information is rapidly changing it's likely that some comments in the show are no longer valid. Additionally please keep in mind that there is speculation in our comments and those comments may or may not turn out to be true. We are not placing blame in any direction at this time because there is not enough information. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased and those who are emotionally struggling with the events.
Goliath Incident Major Crimes Unit Investigates Death at Six Flags Over Georgia
1 dead, 4 injured in Goliath ride incident at Six Flags Over Georgia
Ryan: Goliath ride accident, speculation, and thoughts 
Six Flags Over Georgia to reopen as planned Friday as Goliath coaster remains closed after fatal fall
New details on riders hurt in Six Flags Over Georgia Goliath incident
Crisis expert urges Six Flags to answer questions after fatal roller coaster fall
Terrifying safety loophole exposed after man is thrown to his death from roller coaster
Six Flags Over Georgia - Park Update 
Restraints' efficacy is vital to Six Flags investigation: Ex-ride mechanic 

Other Coasters Closed SeaWorld Orlando temporarily closes Mako after rider killed on similar Six Flags coaster
Hersheypark issues statement following fatal incident at Six Flags over Georgia
Busch Gardens Williamsburg issues statement after fatal fall at Six Flags Over Georgia
La Ronde's Goliath roller coaster closed after death at Six Flags in Georgia 

Character.ai's Bankruptcy Documents Show the Economics of AI Don't Work Your Chatbot Just Went Bankrupt. What Happens Now to Your User Data?

Universal Orlando announces new Horror Make-Up Show featuring Blumhouse
Dollywood Christmas Chapel Popcorn Bucket for Smoky Mountain Christmas Coming Soon Online  Holy Family Shrine 
Lancaster, PA - Dutch Wonderland 

Bradley awards $2.9 million construction contract for waterpark infrastructure
Aurora Park to open at Geauga Lake's former SeaWorld site on Oct. 25
SeaWorld Wants to Make You Horny
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Side Friction - Episode 145 - "Six Flags Over North Ohio"
October 10th, 2026
Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic are back after a couple of weeks. Bob starts out the show remembering amusement park trips with his dad who passed away on Sept 25th and then it's back to covering the latest news stories and catching up on some big things that happened the last few weeks.
More than 100 riders claim Six Flags ride led to brain injuries Retiring X2

This Major Amusement Park Just Made History with a Record-Breaking Solar Power Upgrade
Activist JANA Partners is pushing Six Flags to hire a bank and explore a sale 
Could Cedar Point's name change? Owners float idea in recent survey 
Mom sues Universal Orlando, says Stardust Racers gave son permanent
Universal Destinations & Experiences names new chief brand and commercial officer
Disney Hires Its First CTO: Karandeep Anand, Former CEO of AI Chatbot Start-Up
Rohde: Disney Will Completely Replace the Current Yeti, Not Fix It
Firefighters respond to blaze at Playland's legendary Dragon Coaster Rye Fire Fighters

Lagoon's new 2027 coaster will be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Shuttered South Jersey amusement park set to hit the auction block
EQT to sell €1.7 billion stake in Spain's Parques Reunidos, Expansion says 
Castle Park in Riverside lays off more than 100 employees during makeover
Judge signs off on contentious $15M sale of Glenwood Caverns (paywall)
Roller Coaster Tycoon in Real Life 
The Block Zone Breeze
It's Back!
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