Dorney Park Opens Friday: 5 Things to Know

1. Gates open Friday at 10 a.m. at Dorney Park in South Whitehall. The park will be open on weekends only until May 25, when Wildwater Kingdom also opens. This weekend's hours are as follows: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2. Lehigh Valley residents get a discount on admission this weekend. According to Dorney Park's Facebook page, park patrons from Lehigh and Northampton counties, as well as Berks, Monroe and Carbon counties, can present their ID at the ticket booth this weekend (May 3-5) to buy up to four tickets at $25 per ticket. (Regular admission is $39.99 online to $49.99 at the gate, per ticket but there are junior/senior admissions and starlight tickets).

Also, you can save money on Friday night admissions—and help raise money for the Parkland School District. Print this coupon, available on the Parkland website, for $19 admission on Friday nights (after 5 p.m.) from May 3-June 7. (Parkland gets $1 for every coupon that is redeemed.)

3. Chickie's & Pete's Sports Bar is opening in the middle of the park. Two Chickie's & Pete's stands have been at the amusement park since 2011.

4. Summer Nights of Celebration are coming. The park will kick off Summer Nights June 29, with more hours, shows and fireworks, according to the park's website. An All-Wheel Sports show will open June 29, with bikers and gymnasts performing stunts.

5. Dining plans are available. Just like Disney, Dorney Park is offering dining packages that you can buy with your admission ticket