Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

Side Friction - Episode 137 - "Asphalt Revenge"
July 18th, 2026
This week we mourn the loss of Dick Knoebel who passed away at the age of 87. He was an industry later that has shaped the industry that will be felt generations from now. Our thoughts and our hearts are with the Knoebels family during this time. More information can be found directly from the park or at the Amusement Today article.
Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic then kick off a show that retains the typical upbeat format and news that our listeners have come to enjoy.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay retiring Kumba roller coaster after 33 years 
Fury 325 at Carowinds shuts down after discovery of foundation issues
Frank Hurricane / Thoosie Mob / Tee Shot / The Pop Cult 
California Theme Park Nears Reopening of 48-Year-Old Roller Coaster
1886 to 2026: Lagoon Amusement Park reaches 140th anniversary
Universal Studios neighbors complain about noise from new Fast and Furious ride
Universal Orlando sets closing date for Fast & Furious Supercharged 
Hocking Hills to open mountain coaster
Wildfire smoke from Canada blankets Northeast Ohio: Cedar Point to close at 7 p.m. Thursday 
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Side Friction - Episode 136 - "Orange is the New Brown"
July 11th, 2026
Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic have a wide range of smaller stories that spark a lot of speculation and even some confusion.
Pls don't hate us… --Fun Spot 
Look out Mammoth … New roller coaster rolls into C.J. Barrymore's
LITD - C.J. Barrymore's "What's Ahead"
4 Six Flags Visitors Hospitalized After Being Struck by Falling Tree During 'Severe' Storm amid Fourth of July Celebrations
World's Tallest, Fastest and Longest Giga Dive Coaster Officially Opens at Six Flags
Meet the man who kept Kennywood rolling for nearly 50 years
Kennywood asking guests to add more time for travel amid Parkway East closure
Universal: New pass for 2 theme parks good through mid-December 
Virginia's first alpine coaster Mountain Mayhem opens at Massanutten Resort
After 52 years, Inland Empire amusement park Fiesta Village is closing 
Woman sues Knoebels after breaking leg while exiting Ferris wheel
Georgia Aquarium to receive two beluga whales from closed Canadian theme park
New Study Reveals the Most Affordable Theme Park to Visit in the U.S. — and It's Not in Florida or California
Disgusting video shows children riding boats in 'sewage brown' water at popular Maryland theme park
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Web: https://sidefriction.com
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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 redevelopment will be guided by entertainment, housing and innovation
Maryland is facing its first summer without Six Flags America. Here's where families are heading
Six Flags Over Georgia closes new roller coaster for the season
Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) Appoints Mark Pauls as COO Effective July 2026
Kings Island's next big roller coaster may be hiding in Atlanta
Six Flags Sets New Opening Date for Its Record-Breaking Dive Coaster After Unexpected Delay
Project Purple Topped Off 
Joris en de Draak Titan Track cracks
Ride the Wildcat at America's oldest continuously operating amusement park
Neural Render Proxies for Interactive and Differentiable Lighting
Marineland belugas one step closer to getting new homes
Marineland Reportedly Sending Deer & Elk to Slaughter
Disney World Guest's Phone Charger Catches Fire in Line for 'It's a Small World' Ride, Prompting Brief Closure
Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction
Web: https://sidefriction.com
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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 Atlanta location in August  Fun Spot Atlanta family, thank you for the memories…

Universal Kids Resort promised family thrills, but delivered a $550M concrete carnival
Six Flags Postpones Record-Breaking Dive Roller Coaster 4 Days Before Grand Opening
Is Six Flags' new coaster Phantom Spire? What the park is and isn't saying 
Teen climbs out of Disneyland attraction mid-ride, taken to hospital
Man banned from Kennywood after trespassing in restricted area, officials say
Nashville Shores waterpark sold to out-of-state company for more than $12 million 
Cedar Point confirms metal piece fell from roller coaster after guest claims she was 'almost' hit https://www.facebook.com/jaymarisant/videos/1059603686586649/ 

Fan favorite Whizzer roller coaster reopens at Six Flags Great America
Knott's Berry Farm tests Montezooma launch coaster at full speed
Zachs get half-price admission at Michigan's Adventure Friday
BBQ Train
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Web: https://sidefriction.com
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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 120 feet in air at Six Flags St. Louis
Man Attends Video Meeting From Active Roller Coaster
Disney's Imagineering Announces Partnership with Adobe Firefly to Use AI Models for Park Designs 
Get ready for Disney's big AI ads push 
Top Disney AI Exec Gushes About Chatbot Assistant He Calls His 'Son' - Business Insider 
Ocean City Boardwalk Subcommittee proposes alternative to "Icona in Wonderland"
British roller coaster club visits Memphis Kiddie Park
Criminality not suspected after 12 kids sent to hospital in electrical incident at B.C. water park
Amusement Park Guests Had to Be 'Rappelled' to the Ground on Ropes After Being Stranded on Gondola Ride
Alabama Adventure announces the return of Rampage the wooden roller coaster and teases major upcoming announcement
More Spikes!
You have to see this! Child kicked by robot at amusement park
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Web: https://sidefriction.com
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