Yeah, Breakers is somewhat pricey, which is why I booked at the Best Western :) (The Best Western also has a Perkins, which is good to grab breakfast at, assuming we drag ourselves out of bed early enough to eat before rushing to the park...)
I've only been to one CoasterMania, and that was a year with no new coasters opening. Lines during the ERT were pretty light, but the park got pretty crowded during the day. This year, with MF opening, I would expect a large number of enthusiasts for the ERT, and a large crowd during the day. Now, that doesn't mean it isn't worth going to CoasterMania, because we do still get to get in the park early and stay late, which means more rides even if there IS a crowd... (and the discounted tickets will be good for my friends without a season pass)
--Greg