A little PKI help please...

I am considering going to PKI for their opening day but have never been there before. Can anybody give me any suggestions on where to stay that is afforadable but clean (like the maples motel).

Also any input on the best food in the park for a familywith a kidsat 3, 2, and a 6 months old would be great.

Ameri-suetes (sp) in bluegrass, was one of the best hotels for the money that i have stayed in. there are plenty of places to eat at. theres one across from tomb raider and theres a sit-down place across from the beast. you can pull of a map on the web sight.

Ameri-suites. Just helping out and it may make a search easier.

Well, We are staying at red roof in. It is close to the park and we got our rooms for only $40. Now, I just hope that it is not too crappy. As long as I have a TV, shower, bed, and alcohol I do not care about any other ameneties.(sp?)

We were happy with the Comfort Inn in Mason on Fields-Ertel Road. It's 5-10 minutes south of KI right off of I-71. I think we paid $100 a night in mid-July last year. There are plenty of restaurants nearby too.

You might want to put off your KI trip by a week or so. It turns out that they have scheduled "Boy Scouts Weekend" and "Marching Band Weekend" the same as Opening Weekend. The place will be more crowded than usual and ride lines will be longer than normal since SoB will not be available to alleviate some of the crowds. Once SoB is back up and Firehawk is operational, lines should be more reasonable.

Also, be sure to check out KIExtreme. It's an excellent KI resource.

I noticed that about the boy scouts weekend. I don't think it would hurt me all that much really. With the kids going I don't think that I'll be doing too much coaster riding. :( I really want to check out the layout of the park and just have a good time with my boys.
I think they'll really like the marching bands too.
Thanks for all of your replies and advice everyone.

there is a LaRosa's Pizza just on the Beast side of Vortex if you are looking for a good place to eat with the kids.

http://www.kiextreme.com/restaurants.php
http://www.kiextreme.com/gallery/index.php?cat=22

*** Edited 3/15/2007 8:09:54 PM UTC by TOPGUN1993***
*** Edited 3/15/2007 8:12:43 PM UTC by TOPGUN1993***

Definitely check out Larosa's pizza and Skyline Chili. There are numerous chain hotels located one exit north of the Kings Island exit to choose from as well. Oh, and be sure to come visit Tomb Raider!

We're staying at La Quinta Inn, Mason, in June. I hear it's very nice. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g50618-d225477-Reviews-La_Quinta_Inn_Cincinnati_Northeast-Mason_Ohio.html

I hope the reviews are right. I don't know if you guys would consider it cheap though, but I won't mind paying a little extra for cleanliness and comfort as long as it doesn't get too expensive. Hope you have a great time :)

Make sure to ride the Train, and go up in the tower.

All I can say is, Great Wolf is pricey. Yeah I can say a must to do are, go up in the Eiffel Tower, ride The Beast, take a lap on the train, ride vortex, feel the drop on Drop Zone.

Then go back in time to 1975 and ride the Enchanted Voyage. Sigh.

Don't be overly worried about the events that weekend. People are making a big deal out of a little thing. Yes, crowds will be slightly larger than normal, but it's still going to be pre-season type crowds and not something like you'd see in July. Scout Fun Days are pretty light when it comes to increases in crowds, as are the music days.
Still bad planning on the park's part, but still...not much to worry about, I expect.

*** Edited 3/16/2007 5:15:58 AM UTC by kirk06***

I would say the worst days to come would be, the Math and Science days. Last year it was around 34,000 students, in the park. So yeah you might want to pick another day, to come.

Nice thing is...KI's math and science days are on May 11 and 16. These are two days that fall during the week, and Kings Island isn't open to the public during the week until May 28.

The worst days to visit Kings Island are Bring a Friend Free days. bleh

I always stay at they kings island inn, right across the street from the park. They have a free shuttle to the park, so you save money on the parking fee's. They also have a indoor pool, sauna, fitness room.

There is also a restaurant/ bar. They also have a decent breakfast buffet.