Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

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  Sheriff sends clear warning to stop 2nd planned 'Takeover' of Icon Park 

Chaos at Six Flags St. Louis opening day as 'large fight' involving 100 people breaks out 
Six Flags ride abruptly shut down over cell phone violation, leaving riders stuck 200ft high
Ride collapses at amusement park in Brazil, video shows 
Six Flags New England shares information regarding ride evacuation
Q&A with new Carowinds boss as Six Flags shakes up leadership across its parks 
Thirty-one sloths die in Florida before opening of attraction
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
2,000 bats, cavern glow-up among wild changes at Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Family-Owned Amusement Park Named Best in the U.S. for 2026 — and It's Free to Enter Knoebels Amusement Resort marks 100th anniversary

3 Bald Eagles Remain Missing from Sanctuary at Dolly Parton's Dollywood After Storm Damaged Enclosure 
Restored Smithsonian carousel returns to the National Mall
60-Ton Animatronic Dinosaur Bursts Into Flames at Kansas Theme Park After Getting Struck by Lightning  Lightning strike destroys Touchdown Jesus statue 

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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 Six Flags Parks Up For Sale? 

Jeffrey Siebert Leaves Six Flags 
Quantum Accelerator valleyed
Cedar Point gate tickets to exceed $100 
3 sue Six Flags St. Louis for waterslide injuries
Hersheypark backs off mask guidance after backlash
Disney Parks Brings Back "Ladies and Gentlemen" 
COTALAND, Austin's first major theme park, expected to open this summer 
Wild Moose on the loose
Camden Park selling vintage Ferris wheel cars
Disneyland loosens up on facial recognition
Eddie's House of Monsters at Indiana Beach
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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 Report 80011 
Spaceballs: The New One 
Hershey to resume using chocolate in most products; Reese's grandson may taste sweet victory 
Bigfoot in Ohio? Reports of 'sightings' are going viral on social media 

Six Flags reverses course and brings back park presidents
Six Flags New England unveils Quantum Accelerator roller coaster
Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers Cedar Point will technically have one less roller coaster this year - mlive.com 

Disney reveals opening date, setlist for revamped Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets
Mickey Mouse's sorcerer hat returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios
New Universal Studios roller coaster goes full throttle with real people onboard
Something Was Spotted at Newest Universal Park That Suggests a Big Access Change Is Coming
Universal Orlando now offering single-use Universal Express "Express Now" option
Busch Gardens Williamsburg reveals 2026 roller coaster, Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
North Carolina's iconic Wizard of Oz theme park known as 'Land of Oz' to reopen after Helene
Kennywood Park celebrates anniversaries and new attractions for 2026 season
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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 Preview
Maryland-native Kevin Durant's investment group buys former Six Flags property  What Prince George's Co. doesn't want at the Six Flags site 

Parents charged with child endangerment after incident at ZooAmerica
How a costume maker convinced Hersheypark to 'chocolatize' their old‑timey theme park
A surprise new Superman game hopes to break a gaming curse, but it's also locked in one location
Knoebels releasing "Images of America" book for 100th season 
Disney World's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening date set 
New ride coming to Arnolds Park Amusement Park  https://www.verticalreality.com/ 

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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 traumatized as crows attack Rapunzel in distressing video: 'Definitely tangled now' 
'Olaf just melted': Video shows brand new 'Frozen' robot freeze, topple over at Disney park 
Disney World selling park tickets for entry after 2 p.m. 
Demolition Work Starting in Lost Continent at Islands of Adventure
World's Largest Rubber Duck to nest at Holiday World before summer kicks off
RollerCoaster Tycoon YouTuber builds ride lasting 194 quattorseptuagintillion years
Knott's Berry Farm to open reimagined Montezooma coaster this summer
An iconic Jersey Shore amusement park wheel is being restored and reconstructed in Phoenixville
Phantom Theater Photos 
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