busch gardens

Side Friction - Episode 20 - "EPIC PRKS”

February 3rd, 2024

An oddly on-topic show but a fair amount of anger as Bob and Steph talk about.... just an odd collection of news this week.

• Man used $8 ticket to get into Disney World 
• Judge dismisses Disney lawsuit 
  • Disney appeals federal judge's dismissal of its lawsuit against DeSantis 
  • Oversight District History 
• WDW land suitability changes 
• Introducing EPIC Universe 
  • Discover Universal: Epic Universe 
• $5 Skyrides
• PRKS 
• Keansburg Amusement Park Parking Lot Battle
• Rampage closed for 2024 
• Waldameer gives residents of Village Mobile Home Park 9 months 
• Vekoma gives us a look at Circuit Breaker Trains 

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidefrictionpodcast/

Web: https://sidefriction.com 

Side Friction - Episode 14 - “Watch Your Step”

December 16th, 2023

Bob and Steph get you through the latest news in the industry but most of this is all things you expect, things we've been watching, or just outright stupidity.  A slighly shorter episode than normal but there's plenty of content.

• Top Thrill 2 is testing; Completes full circuit 
• BGW's New for 2025 coaster leak 
• New Concept Art and Themed Lands for Universal Kids Resort
• Seabreeze retires 1944 Flying Scooters for 2024 Zamperla Windstarz
• http://www.alienvacationminigolf.com/ / https://castlenoel.com/ 
• The Return of the Skywarp? 
• Coney Island Cincinnati Closing 
• Fire in the Hole is closing 
• See Sam Sue

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidefrictionpodcast/

Web: https://sidefriction.com 

Side Friction - Episode 13 - “Daddy's Barn Burner”

December 9th, 2023

Steph and Bob are all over the place this week from printers to video games and a whole lot of.... well, kiddie rides. This episode has more of a focus on rabbit trails and other coaster related discussion than news but it'll certainly entertain you.

• Epic Universe Updates
• Universal Kids Resort
• Busch Gardens Drachen Fire (Spire)?
  • BGW 2025 Site Plan
• A Piece of Knott's Berry Farm History Burns Down
• New Attractions at Knott's Berry Farm Camp Snoopy
• Ride Lineup Revealed for Peppa Pig Dallas-Fort Worth

EPISODE NOTE: Between recording this podcast and it's release BGWFans posted an entire article on the history of Project Madrid and their predictions, based on official documentation, on what we're likely looking at for 2025 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  There's a good chance we'll discuss this more in-depth on our next episode but we wanted to provide the link for you to read in the meantime: https://bgwfans.com/2023/plans-reveal-busch-gardens-williamsburgs-long-anticipated-new-for-2025-festhaus-park-roller-coaster/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidefrictionpodcast/

Web: https://sidefriction.com 

Side Friction - Episode 6 - “Fixing the Point and Throwing B&M into the SEAS”

October 7th, 2023

Steph discusses her quick trip to Cedar Point and Bob talks about his trip to Philly to see Pod Meets World before going into the news and a bunch of rabbit trails

• EEOC sues Cedar Point for Age Discrimination
• SeaWorld Orlando to open Penguin Trek Coaster 2024
• SeaWorld San Antonio to open World's First launched flume "coaster" in 2023 
  • ..... I mean 2024
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg reveals details of Loch Ness Monster retheme
• Busch Gardens Tampa to open Phoenix Rising - B&M Family Invert
• Stuck Upside-Down in Canada
• Fun Spot Kissimmee reopens The Galaxy Spin after accident

My second road trip begins with my return to Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  Since my last visit in 2018, they've added the new Intamin multi-launch Pantheon roller coaster, and the new-for-2023 DarKoaster, an enclosed Intamin family attraction.  Of course I was excited to ride old favorites like Griffon, Apollo's Chariot, Alpengeist, etc.  Join me for an in-depth look at this beautiful theme park and its outstanding roller coaster collection.

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me out by rating, sharing, and subscribing. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @coasterredux.

Half of our Theme Park Rangers duo successfully secured at spot on the Tron Lightcycle / Run passholder preview. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice reveal the results from last week’s virtual queue waiting game. Meanwhile Dewayne joined a cast member on the yet-to-open Magic Kingdom ride and shares his experience. Tron officially opens to the public on April 4. He also visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to ride their new Serengeti Flyer (opening Feb. 27) and Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven to celebrate the attraction's one-year anniversary (”Turning One” party Feb. 24-26).

• Tron virtual queue results (:00)
• Locker system (3:17)
• Getting on the lightcycle (4:40)
• The ride experience (8:01)
• Theming (11:55)
• Storing backpacks vs. phones (14:08)
• Busch Gardens new ride (16:34)
• Peppa Pig birthday (23:49)

This episode documents the time when I was a seriously lazy coaster enthusiast.  From 2005 to 2014, I only made a handful of visits to my local Florida parks including Busch Gardens Tampa and Universal Orlando.  My brother and I went to Six Flags Great Adventure in 2014, and then four years later, we did a two-day roller coaster trip to Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2018.  That trip got me back into following the amusement industry through podcasts and social media and would put me on the path to rekindling my coaster-riding flame and putting that road trip together.

El Toro sound effects credit: ElToroRyan - YouTube

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me out by rating, sharing, and subscribing. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @coasterredux.

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss flooding caused by Hurricane Ian at Gatorland, Disney Genie+ pricing, Busch Garden’s new ride and the investigation and planned dismantling of Orlando Free Fall.

Come along with Craig Zabransky of StayAdventurous.com as he travels to Colonial Virginia to visit Williamsburg, Yorktown and more. Hear from experts from both Colonial Williamsburg and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and my own travel thoughts. Also, expect the normal segments such as the Staying Adventurous Mindset Moment, my Top 3 Travel Tips plus prepare for a new segment - the Mercer Minute, the place from the eyes of a 5th grader. 

To visit the episode's show notes find the complete podcast page > here. And also make sure to "subscribe" to his quest to allow Craig to be your travel guide across the globe. 

This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts probably. Just search for 'Start The Beat Podcast'.

You can also find links to all of the episodes and my social media here: briansikeshowe.com/startthebeat