Darien Lake Theme Park Resort is gearing up for summer with a new roller coaster, a new general manager, and a new strategy to bring families together inside the park fence.

Since the park's sale by Six Flags Inc. to Real Estate Investment Trust CNL Properties last year, Darien Lake has gained more regional independence, allowing it to work with more local brands and vendors, such as Labatt beer, Sahlen's hot dogs and Perry's ice cream.

"In a conglomerate of national parks, what's good for one is not necessarily good for another," said Christopher Thorpe, who was named general manager last month after the exit of longtime GM Brad Paul. "We're better positioned to be responsive to changes in the local market."

In addition, a new pricing structure will bring special rates down by $5 across the board, with senior, child, and post-5 p.m. admission cut to $19.99 from $24.99. Regular adult admission is in the final pricing stages, but is expected to be lower than its current price of $34.99.

To keep the thrill seekers happy, construction on the park's new $3.4 million MotoCoaster began three weeks ago and will be complete in time for the park's May 3 opening. Passengers will hop onto open-air motorbike seating and be propelled forward, going from zero to 40 miles per hour in three seconds flat. After the initial power launch, passengers will ride figure eights and make sharp turns over 1,100 feet of track 40 feet in the air. Made by Italian company Zamperla Rides, it is the first of its kind in the United States.

Located near the park's campground, the ride is expected to change visitor traffic patterns, opening up potential revenue to places such as the full-service restaurant Beaver Brothers Lakeside Cafe and Pizza in the Square, traditionally patronized only by campers.