Side Friction: Roller Coasters and the Parks They Live In

Bob, Greg, and Ryan
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Hobbies
  • Updated Semiweekly

A podcast about roller coasters and the parks they live in. Each episode will contain a mixture of industry related news, trip reports, interviews and a whole lot of rabbit trails.

  1. 3d ago

    Asphalt Revenge

    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  Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  2. Jul 11

    Orange is the New Brown

    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 Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  3. Jul 4

    Copy, Paste, Ride

    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 NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  4. Jun 27

    Gargantuan Vertical Waterfall

    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 Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  5. Jun 20

    Get Stuck, Have Fun, Don't Die

    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 Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  6. Jun 13

    The Don

    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  Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  7. Jun 6

    Rescue 1-0-0

    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 Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

  8. May 30

    Round Rage

    Side Friction - Episode 130 - "Round Rage" May 30th, 2026 Bob, Greg, and Ryan the Ride Mechanic start with the expected chicken nugget story, well, after a rabbit trail of course. The rest of the show covers about an equal mix of news and rabbit trails. Cedar Point guest gets lifetime ban from Six Flags parks for roller coaster stunt 'I understand': Man speaks out after Cedar Point bans him for eating nuggets on coaster Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Will be Discontinued for Universal Orlando's Express Pass Hagrid's Equality SpongeBob, Shrek and Minions are getting a new theme park this summer Frontal Lobe: Home Edition Frontal Lobe Ride  A Nearly 100-Year-Old Roller Coaster Reopens This Weekend After Being Shut Down Over Safety Concerns The First Roller Coaster Is Going Up At Oasis, And They Named It 'Shootout': Here's What We Know Mattel's immersive indoor water park coming to North Carolina Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress refresh to bring new decades, Easter eggs to Tomorrowland classic Mastodon: https://worldkey.io/@sidefriction Web: https://sidefriction.com NXR2BBLGADRGMFVH

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A podcast about roller coasters and the parks they live in. Each episode will contain a mixture of industry related news, trip reports, interviews and a whole lot of rabbit trails.

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