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

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

Web: https://sidefriction.com

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