S5, E39- the Attractions Group Podcast | Theme Park Travel, Industry Technology & Major Coaster News

In this episode of the podcast, Clete and David are back after a brief recording hiatus to catch up on a packed summer of theme park travel, industry tech, and major coaster news! From a multi-park trip through Northern California to checking out the latest hospitality tech in San Antonio, there is plenty to dive into. Plus, a deep dive into the massive industry news regarding Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) shifting away from their longtime steel fabricator.   What We Cover in This Episode Summer Coaster Trips: A firsthand review of California's Great America, including why Gold Striker still reigns supreme as one of the absolute best GCI wooden coasters. Park Operations & Line Jumping: A look at how park security handled a major line-jumping incident during peak school-field-trip season. Northern California & Texas Highlights: Thoughts on Sidewinder Safari at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio, and a ride on the new-for-2026 B&M inverted coaster, Barracuda Strike. HITEC 2026 San Antonio: Key takeaways from the Hospitality Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC). We discuss how backend tech like property management systems and Chargerback lost-and-found software directly impact the theme park guest experience. Major Industry News: Breaking down the recent announcement that B&M is cutting ties with Clermont Steel Fabricators, what this means for the infamous "B&M rattle" on newer models like Penguin Trek, and where fabrication might move next.   Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & The Summer Hiatus Recap: The guys catch up after a brief recording break, sharing initial thoughts on a packed summer of travel, theme park operations, and industry shifts. 03:15 – Northern California Trip Report: A deep dive into California's Great America. Discussion includes park operations during peak school-field-trip season, a major line-jumping incident handled by security, and why Gold Striker remains a top-tier GCI wooden coaster. 15:45 – Six Flags Discovery Kingdom & Texas Swing: Transitioning over to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to look at Sidewinder Safari, followed by a quick trip to San Antonio to review SeaWorld's Texas Stingray and the brand-new 2026 B&M inverted coaster, Barracuda Strike. 28:10 – Hospitality Tech at HITEC 2026: Key takeaways from the Hospitality Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) in San Antonio. Exploring how backend tech—like advanced property management systems and Chargerback lost-and-found tracking—seamlessly shapes the guest experience at modern theme park resorts. 42:30 – B&M & Clermont Steel Fabricators Split: Breaking down the massive industry news of Bolliger & Mabillard ending their longtime partnership with Clermont Steel Fabricators. The guys discuss the implications for future ride manufacturing, track quality, and the infamous "B&M rattle" noted on recent models like Penguin Trek. 57:15 – Wrap-Up & What’s Next: A preview of the upcoming Substack article—a comprehensive theme park operator's guide to HITEC 2026—and closing thoughts.   Join the Attractions Group Podcast as we recap a massive summer of coaster travel and industry-shaking news! We review Gold Striker, Texas Stingray, and the new Barracuda Strike, talk hospitality tech trends from HITEC 2026, and break down what B&M cutting ties with Clermont Steel Fabricators means for the future of roller coaster engineering.   #ThemeParks #RollerCoasters #AmusementParks #ThemeParkIndustry #CoasterCommissions #BandM #BolligerAndMabillard #HITEC2026 #HospitalityTech #GoldStriker #BarracudaStrike #ThemeParkOperations #CoasterGeek #ClermontSteel #theAttractionsGroupPodcast   Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, Amusement Parks, Theme Park Industry, Coaster Reviews, B&M, Bolliger and Mabillard, HITEC 2026, Hospitality Tech, Gold Striker, California's Great America, Texas Stingray, Barracuda Strike, Penguin Trek, Clermont Steel Fabricators, Theme Park Operations, Coaster News, Attractions Group Podcast, Roller Coaster Engineering, Travel Recap