Side Friction - Episode 121 - "Keep Your Wood"

March 21st, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic cover a whole lot of stuff this week including a whole bunch of potential wood coaster revivals as well as corporations being corporations and United Parks being, well, United Parks. Amongst all of the news there are plenty of laughs and rabbit trails to keep this an entertaining episode you won't want to miss.

• SeaWorld sued over mishandling 'Sesame Street' brand, unpaid royalties
• Jana Partners pushes Six Flags to explore sale, replace board chair, letter says
• Storm tears open historic Rye Playland music tower
• Rye Playland Sets 2026 Opening Dates and Fees, Confirms Dragon Coaster Comeback
  • Playland's Iconic Dragon Coaster Getting Back on Track
• Rampage at Alabama Adventure to Reopen in Summer of 2026!
• Lakeside Cyclone Work?
• World's of Fun Titan Teaser
• Behind the Bricks of Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND
• This 100-Year-Old Amusement Park Still Hasn't Lost Its Retro Charm
  • 100 Years of Knoebels
• WhiteWater's Vantage platform selected by Enchanted Parks
  • Vantage's Smart Park Platform
  • Vantage at Island H2O Live! Waterpark in Kissimmee, Florida

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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Side Friction - Episode 120 - "Half Dozen Wings"

March 14th, 2026

Bob, Greg and Ryan the Ride Mechanic go so far off the rails this week that they likely left the park a few times. A fair amount of news gets covered, some speculation, and lots of rabbit trail all combine for an incredibly fun episode.

• Travis Kelce Joins Six Flags as Brand Ambassador for 2026
• The Family Auto Mart
• Six Flags Park Begins Major Revitalization Ahead of 2026 Season as Company Sells off 7 Properties
• Disneyland hazmat incident sends seven cast members to hospital
• Stardust Racers closure extended again at Epic Universe, now through April 5
• Guests sent to hospital after 'ride pause' made them feel unwell, SeaWorld Orlando says
• Belugas facing euthanasia at shuttered Canada theme park may find new homes in US
• Muskegon County leaders react to sale of Michigan's biggest amusement park
• Swimming beach next up for Geauga Lake redevelopment
• Tyler center displays Idora Park artifacts

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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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

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