Side Friction - Episode 108 - "McBroken"

December 13th, 2025

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic dive into the Stardust Racers incident again now that more information has been released as well as talk about Six Flags changes and a sampling of various other stories -- and rabbit trails.

• What to know about changes to Disney parks' disability policies
• Six Flags & former Cedar Fair parks make next big changes to unify portfolio
• No criminality found in Epic Universe roller coaster death: Sheriff's office
  • Death report reveals disturbing aftermath after rider killed on Stardust Racers at Epic Universe
  • Universal Altered Report on Stardust Racers Death to Remove Pre-Existing Conditions Reference
  • Kevin Rodriguez Zavala: Death report explains what happened on Stardust Racers ride
• Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way announces closure
• Enchanted Forest (Turner, Oregon, United States)
• Six Flags Magic Mountain files plans to demolish 2 beloved rides
  • Six Flags Magic Mountain confirms fate of 2 popular kids rides
• Legoland resorts set opening date for new Galacticoaster
• Dracula Land theme park to be developed in Romania
• CGA will reduce operating season
• Waldameer names new water rides for 2026
• THE GRAVITY GROUP MERCHANDISE STORE

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 107 - "Brakefast Buffet"

December 6th, 2025

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic have an entire buffet of news stories from all over the place to visit on this episode. Lots of big news happening and about the only thing that's certain is that, well, nothing is certain.

• Six Flags Appoints John Reilly President and Chief Executive Officer
• Six Flags Announces New Park Will Open by the End of the Year, 2 Weeks After Shutting Down Another
• Portland's Oaks Amusement Park Gets Green Light for Controversial New Ride Despite Bird Advocates' Appeal
• Is Maverick's Heartline Roll Coming Back??
  • Xcelerator Testing Over 100mph at Knott's Berry Farm
• Supports ON SITE for New Coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure!
• National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives Names Pete Owens New Chairman
  • (2017) National Roller Coaster Museum to expand with Mark Moore Memorial Wing
• IAAPA: New Legoland coaster features customization, Space Creature
• International Drive roller coaster planned from operator of canceled Skyplex 'Polercoaster'
• Disney World Quietly Shuts Down Part of Iconic Ride Without Notice and Fans Are Heartbroken
• SFGrAd Closes on it's last day
• Hersheypark Winter Weather Promise
• Ocean City Council set to vote on Wonderland Pier property again
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg reveals 2026 roller coaster, Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
• 'Random aerial bird strike:' SeaWorld Orlando responds to coaster rider's 'duck' lawsuit
• Lagoon changes toddler policy for 2026 season — those under 24 months ride free

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 106 - "It's Gonna be the Greatest..."

November 22nd, 2025

Ryan the Ride Mechanic, Greg and Bob have another incredibly fun filled conversation consisting of various different topics including all the news.... well, ride vehicles, from IAAPA, some announcements, theories, and, well.... isms.

• Wonderland Amusement Park, Amarillo icon since 1951, is officially up for sale
• Mack Rides CEO addresses fatal incident on roller coaster at Universal Epic Universe
• State ride inspectors wrote no reports after Universal roller coaster death, agency indicates
• SeaWorld class action alleges theme park chain uses 'bait-and-switch' tactics
• IAAPA Expo 2025: All the ride vehicles revealed for new theme park attractions
• Dolly Parton offers health update after missing IAAPA induction ceremony
• Zamperla: just being silly
• Intamin X ETF Ride Systems, Multi Dimension Mover
• Nate Bargatze Reviewing Sites for Nateland Amusement Park, Partners With Storyland Studios
• Already ready for summer fun: Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild announce 2026 opening dates
• Iconic waterfront amusement park in Myrtle Beach to open new roller coaster

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 105 - "SBNO"

November 15th, 2025

Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Bob decide that this is an anything goes week as they all vent about dumb chains and closed museums. In an effort to keep some sanity, however, they scoured the web to find some news stories that aren't about parks being closed or falling flags.

• Herschend To Acquire Silverwood
• Cedar Point shares incredible videos of northern lights in Ohio illuminating night sky above park's roller coasters
• Six Flags says closing or selling more parks is 'priority'
  • Six Flags Eyes More 'Underperforming' Parks for Closure as Revenue Falls Short of Expectations
  • Six Flags warns it could close more parks as financial woes mount
• Six Flags facing federal lawsuit as pension fund accuses company of hiding years of neglect
  • Securities Fraud Investigation Into Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN) Announced
• JANA PARTNERS PROVIDES UPDATE ON SIX FLAGS INVESTOR GROUP
• Exclusive: Future of old Six Flags site might resemble National Harbor, Md. leaders say
• Netflix is opening its first amusement park – and it's completely free
• Oasis Amusement Park On Lake Of The Ozarks Will Be Open By Fall 2026, Developer Says
• Last two boater bros busted for trashing historic Playland amusement park in boneheaded stunt
• Russian AI Robot Faceplants
• Pittsburgh-area man recreates Kennywood on Rollercoaster Tycoon video game
• Waldameer's Wacky Shack turns 55

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 104 - "End of America"

November 8th, 2025

Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Bob discuss a lot of dumb news including Bob talking about the last day of Six Flags America.

• Fire-Rescue Superheroes Scale Inova Loudoun Hospital to Deliver Halloween Treats
• Six Flags of America closes in Bowie
  • Superman breaks down at SFA
  • Dumb guy climbs Batwing on the last day of Six Flags America
• YouTube Shoutouts:
  • ROBB ZIPP AT SIX FLAGS AMERICA'S LAST DAY 11-2-2025
  • Savage Mister
  • Drens Adventure
• Couple helps secure rider after seatbelt fails on Worlds of Fun's Mamba roller coaster
  • Worlds of Fun visitors say they had to hold down young girls after alleged seat belt malfunction on roller coaster
• 2 girls fall from Ferris wheel at Louisiana harvest festival: Sheriff
• Intoxicated passenger falls out of amusement ride in Port Hardy
• Cedar Point cased in terrorist attack plot foiled by FBI. What to know
  • Feds: Suspects in Ferndale terror case also cased Cedar Point; one is tied to video game lawsuit
• New Report Shows Just How Bad Things Are for This Florida Theme Park Giant | Disney Dining
• Stupid lawsuit of the week: NJ mother's lawsuit over kid who called her 'Karen' at amusement park dismissed by appeals court

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 103 - "Micro Capacity"

November 1st, 2025

Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Bob explore the world of toy cars and corvids.... and some coaster and park news too.

• Woman sues SeaWorld after duck allegedly flies into her face while riding roller coaster
• Universal 'holding back' on operating Epic Universe at full capacity
• Kentucky Kingdom building new suspension roller coaster
• Roller-coaster track, likely for Mindbender replacement, spotted in Edmonton-area industrial park
• Renegade 'super fan' takes his 30,000th ride on the Valleyfair roller coaster
• Circuit of the Americas to offer amusement at top speed
• Worlds of Fun roller coaster temporarily shut down due to safety violation
• Knoebels bald eagle passes away
• Waldameer winds down after successful summer, announces Paratrooper comeback

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 102 - "Kelce and the Moose"

October 25th, 2025

Greg and Bob take on this week's news without Ryan who's away for the week. Another fun variety of stories and only a small bit about that big chain with a half dozen flags and lots of problems.

• Travis Kelce joins activist investor Jana Partners in push to revive Six Flags
  • Travis Kelce Teases Possible 'Kelce Roller Coaster'
• Low Flying Moose
  • RMC will unveil a new coaster
• RetroEscapes nostalgia theme park planned for Las Vegas
  • RetroEscapes | Las Vegas retro destination | Las Vegas, NV, USA
• Inside Disney Imagineering's Sonic Labs
• Universal Orlando 2026 park-to-park tickets to include Epic Universe
• Lagoon to retire Jet Star 2 roller coaster after 49 years
• Virginia man rides every roller coaster in the US—all 1,069 of them
• Our biggest competition is screens at home, says theme park boss
• Groundbreaking held for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake, site of former SeaWorld Ohio

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 101 - "Small Parks, a Sweatshirt and some Chickens"

October 18th, 2025

Greg, Ryan the Ride Mechanic and Bob have an extremely wide variety of smaller stories this week along with some great rabbit trails. This episode is sure to entertain.

• Six Flags Announces Corporate Governance Changes
• Various Six Flags parks now have free haunts
• Barracuda Strike suspended roller coaster opening in 2026
• Universal Kids Resort is coming to Frisco, Texas in 2026
• Closed Universal Studios rollercoaster catches fire in Florida
• Lagoon unveils plans for new Screamin' Swing thrill ride
• Sweatshirt causes ride stoppage at Hersheypark's 'Wild Mouse'
• Mattel Adventure Park may not open in Bonner Springs until 2031
• Westchester police searching for suspects who stole 200 stuffed animals, vandalized Playland Park
• Rollercoaster POV: New ride at COTALAND in Austin
• Wilde Hilde - Schwaben Park
  • Wilde Hilde - Theme Park Music
• Arnolds Park Amusement Park sees record attendance
• A tour of Knoebels Amusement Resort from a dog's POV

Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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