Side Friction - Episode 119 - "Mammoth Deal"

March 7th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about huge news... you might even call it mammoth! There's only a couple real stories this week but you'll hear lots of entertaining information and stories in the abundance of rabbit trails this week.

• 2026 New Attraction
• Wild Adventures launches 30th anniversary season
  • The Harlem Globetrotters want to join the NBA
• Looking Forward: A New Chapter for Six Flags
  • Six Flags to Sell Off 7 Beloved Amusement Parks Around the Country amid Financial Woes
  • EPR Properties - Wikipedia
  • EPR Properties Announces Definitive Agreements to Acquire Portfolio of Seven Regional Parks
  • Enchanted Parks acquires multiple Six Flags properties
• Websites:
  • Enchanted Parks
  • IAM (Innovative Attraction Management)
  • EPR Properties

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 118 - "Omaha's Biggest"

February 28th, 2026

Bob, Greg and especially Ryan the Ride Mechanic are in rare form tonight as the rabbit trails hit some pretty funny moments -- especially starting the show off. Plenty of news gets talked about to keep you up to date.

• You Care What We Think: Biggest Cock In Omaha
• United Parks & Resorts Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Results
• Stardust Racers Refurbishment Extended Again at Epic Universe
• Twin Brothers Allegedly Injured on New Harry Potter Ride at Universal Orlando After It 'Thrusted Erratically' Mid-Ride
• A Theme Park with Spongebob AND Jurassic World? Universal Kids Resort Deep Dive
• Doswell Virginia Industrial & Infrastructure Opportunity
• Six Flags says 'We want you back' | New CEO's plans for future
• Does Dolly Parton have competition? Nate Bargatze's Nashville theme park plans
• Kennywood restores iconic trash can for upcoming season
• Super Bowl LX players lose thousands to California's 'jock tax' on athlete income
• Disney World's Villains Land Is Pivoting Away From Scaring Kids
• Disneyland abandoned plans for Disney Villains land, report says
• A Beloved Amusement Park Nearly Closed for Good 6 Years Ago. Now It's Preparing for Its 100th Birthday

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 117 - "Flares and Orange Vests"

February 21st, 2026

Bob and Ryan the Ride Mechanic hold down the fort since Greg is a little under the weather this week but there is plenty to talk about starting off with Six Flags and ending with Geauga Lake.

• Six Flags 2025 Results
  • Six Flags (FUN) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Beloved Roller Coaster Is Permanently Shutting Down After 33 Years
• Six Flags begins building new 'record-breaking' roller coaster on Wednesday
  • https://opencoaster.net/@ElToroRyan/116093195168193545
• Kentucky Kingdom gives sneak peak at its 1st new roller coaster since 2019
• Allegiant Announces "Flight #925: Destination Dollywood" for Travelers Headed to the Great Smoky Mountains this November
• Disney Files NEW Permit for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets
• New Jersey man accused of boosting almost $200K of metal from Ferris wheel renovation site
• Aurora begins development of new park at former Geauga Lake site

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 116 - "Dragon Fire"

February 14th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about the scraps of news this week amongst rabbit trails that are sure to entertain.

• Social media age verification is full of risks and unclear rewards
• Alton Towers U-turns on plan to restrict disability pass for people with ADHD and autism
• Beloved Theme Park Files for Bankruptcy 4 Years After Fatal Accident That Killed 6-Year-Old Girl
• Elon Musk's Tunnel Company Chosen to Develop Transit System to Connect Universal Orlando Theme Parks
  • Experts say Elon Musk's tunnel empire has a 99% chance of ending in serious trouble – Morning Overview
  • Crossing Norway's fjords is going to get easier with world's first submerged floating tunnel
• Brendan Fraser is back for a new 'Mummy' movie — should Universal update coaster?
• Locals breathe fire as dragon from iconic Playland coaster chucked in dumpster: 'Should be in a museum'
• Six Flags Great Adventure reveals return of 'Wild' ride and guest experience upgrades for the upcoming season
• Mr. Freeze ride at Six Flags Over Texas is about to get even cooler
• Levchuk: Amusement park not returning
• Office Building Getting Demolished to Make Way for New Disneyland Resort Parking Structure

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 115 - "The Search for More Gold"

February 7th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic are back to finding rabbit trails in an episode that finally has some bigger news stories and a lot of real time surprises.

• New Gold Pass Benefit: Visit Regional Six Flags Parks for Free
• Six Flags changes filming policy for roller coaster POVs
• Kings Island announces return of classic ride
  • Polyp Octopus Monsters
• Alton Towers to remove disability pass for people with ADHD and anxiety
• Disney names Josh D'Amaro as new chief executive
• Disney warns of hit from flagging foreign visits
  • Starbucks scraps $250,000 cap on boss's use of company jet
• You can say 'I do' at Disney's Haunted Mansion starting this summer
• Universal Orlando Launches New Advertising Campaign Ahead of Super Bowl LX
  • Here's Why Companies Can't Say 'Super Bowl' in Their Super Bowl Ads
• 'Hell of a day:' Texts reveal state inspectors' response to Universal roller coaster death
• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift Opens This Summer

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 114 - "Blizzard Beach IRL"

January 31st, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic have another slower news week but we get to hear about the Netherlands from Ryan as well as everything freezing over.

• Rare Extreme Cold Watch Issued for Walt Disney World: Wind Chills Could Drop to 7F Degrees
• Canada gives conditional approval for Marineland to export remaining belugas to the US
• Dreamland to put historic Scenic Railway into 'retirement'
• Six Flags Great Adventure - 450 ft. tall Crane for Roller Coaster Construction
• POV Antique Autos at Indiana Beach
• Swedish amusement park fined over fatal roller coaster derailment
• Who can pronounce death in FL
• Arnolds park receives $100K investment
• Legend - Arnolds Park (Image 22)

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 113 - "Snow Drift"

January 24th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Caleb take a break from preparing for the snow and ice this weekend to talk about Universal, Mattel, Bluey, and a collection of other news stories in the industry.

• Universal Orlando Resort Reveals Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift – Opening in Florida In 2027
  • Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (Orlando) construction timelapse
• Cause of Death Revealed for Grandma Who Lost Consciousness After Riding Revenge of the Mummy Roller Coaster
• It's so cold in Florida that even the rollercoasters are getting stalled on the tracks
• Disney Adventure Testing New Roller Coaster On The High Seas
• Alton Towers names and teases new 'Bluey' roller coaster
• Gotta Catch Em All: Universal's Latest Theme Park IP Deal Will Bring Pokémon to Life
• New Experiences in Hershey Throughout 2026
• Mattel's First Indoor Water Park Will Be Located 10 Minutes from Disney World, Newly Filed Plans Reveal
• Marineland requests U.S. permits for beluga and dolphin transfers
• Rapid City voters say "No!" to Libertyland theme park, soundly reject Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for it
• Building Outside the Lines (TV Series 2023– )
• 1980s-inspired, high-flying cirque amusement park adventure to come to the Center for the Arts
  • (Tour dates and locations)

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 112 - "Enchanted Bar Crawl"

January 17th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Steph talk about an assortment of news including an infamous story from back when Steph was a regular on the show. We're sure you'll not only find this episode interesting but highly entertaining.

• Robin Williams Standup - Golf (full version)
• More shocking Six Flags park changes could be on the way, trademark docs reveal
• Six Flags 'will last and endure' in Saudi Arabia, partner executive says
• Six Flags Guest Sues Park After Allegedly Falling from 'Superman' Coaster Where Guests Ride Face Down, Head First
• IB Parks & Entertainment to operate Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park beginning with the 2026 Season
• Verbolten Forbidden Turn: Extensive Thematic Overhaul
• Has visiting America's premier theme parks now become a luxury vacation experience?
• Knoebels ride is getting an upgrade for this season
• Disney performer who stopped boulder from hitting audience says he's no hero
• Disney World 'wedgie' lawsuit that went viral ends in court
• Disney adult sparks outrage with her 'trashy' bar crawl through kid-friendly theme park
• Vekoma Rides Parts & Services B.V. and Drone Over The Top LLC announce cooperation to advance safety-focused drone inspections for Theme Parks
  • Kings Dominion Rope Inspections
• Adorable Kangaroo Sneaks Its Ways Into a Lazy River at Australian Theme Park

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 111 - "Fight or Flight"

January 10th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic take a quick visit to a few stories circulating in a short but fun episode.

• More weather … really?
• Six Flags Announces Decision Regarding Six Flags Over Texas Partnership Call Option
• Six Flags Over Texas Teases Improvements to Mr. Freeze & Runaway Mine Train
• Six Flags issues $1 billion junk bonds to refinance debt
• Disneyland Guest Gets Four Stitches After Getting Attacked by Line Cutter
• Lawsuit against SeaWorld tossed: Park not liable for woman's 'hit by duck' claims
• Six Flags dominates 10Best Awards with Five of 10 Attractions
  • 10 best new theme park attractions across the country
• Dollywood Visitors Are NOT Happy About The Theme Park's New QR Code Drink System: "No Way My Dolly Approved This"
• Roller Coaster Museum announces 2026 events calendar

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

Side Friction - Episode 110 - "Disney Dropped the Ball"

January 3rd, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic talk about new years and a smaller selection of stories for the first episode of 2026.

• Six Flags Qiddiya City is Now Officially Open
  • POV: Falcon's Flight Roller Coaster from Grand Opening of Six Flags Qiddya City
  • Falcon's Flight - On ride POV - Six Flags Qiddiya City
• Monsters, Inc. Ride Update! Disney World's MASSIVE New Coaster Takes a Huge Step Forward
• Runaway Indiana Jones boulder smashes into Disney World staffer
• Sony to Acquire Control of Peanuts in $457 Million Deal
• Universal United Kingdom Resort – Plans Approved by UK Government, Construction Timeline, and Rumors – Orlando ParkStop
• Max The Dog Casting Process Revealed For Grinchmas at Universal Orlando Resort - WDW News Today

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH