Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

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
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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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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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Side Friction - Episode 132 - "The Don"
June 13th, 2026
Bob, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Steph know it's not winter because it's hot outside but with all the announcements this week you'd think it was winter. This is a show you'll certainly want to listen to not only because it's a fun show but because there's a ton of cool stuff being talked about this week.
Waldameer Unveils New 'Eagle's Pursuit' Coaster for 2027  Eagle's Pursuit POV 

2026 New Attraction | Fun-Plex - Omaha, Nebraska 
Funtime Fun Park Announcement Facebook Free Funtime Video 

New in 2027 | Rip Roarin' Falls | Carowinds  Rip Roarin' Falls POV at Carowinds! 

Pennsylvania amusement park rolls out memberships for first time 
Kennywood chaperone policy in effect all day June 6 This Amusement Park Just Announced Strict Chaperone Policy for Teens of a Certain Age 

Fire breaks out under Six Flags Magic Mountain roller coaster
Terrifying 'Tilt' Coaster Strands Riders at 160 Feet in the Air Twice in One Weekend
Riders briefly stuck on Untamed Roller Coaster at Canobie Lake Park
Ride mechanic says roller coasters are built to fail safely
People Named Ryan To Take Over Mall Of America For Free Roller Coaster Record Attempt
Holiday World teasing huge announcement: 'We've been keeping a secret'
unknown - Coolspring Ranch (Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States)
Tidal Force at Pennsylvania's Largest Amusement Park | Hersheypark 
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Side Friction - Episode 131 - "Rescue 1-0-0"
June 6th, 2026
Bob and Greg present a shorter show but one with some interesting (and some unexpected) stories.
Everyone In This LEGO Dispute Should Have Spoken To A Lawyer Earlier Than They Did 
Hersheypark Contract Offer Rejected; Strike Authorized 
Watch rescue after rollercoaster stalls 100ft in the air How Galveston firefighters rescued 8 Houston students stranded 100 feet up on stalled roller coaster
Officials determine failed sensor caused Galveston roller coaster to stop in mid-air

Step right up to amusement park history in Grafton
Polargy acquires Intermountain Lift
Six Flags Great America brings back popular roller coaster after 10-year hiatus
Six Flags Fiesta Texas unleashes Werewolf Gorge, the world's longest family launch roller coaster
Is Dollywood's new NightFlight Expedition ride on track to open this spring? 
Man accused of depantsing Cedar Point guest entered park illegally: police
Universal Officially Reveals the Name of its First U.K. Theme Park Opening in 2031
Disney racks up $4.2bn deficit on Paris parks
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