This really isn't my first trip to KI...we used to go there every year when I was a kid, but I haven't been since high school, which was 16 years ago (gasp!). I have many fond memories of riding The Beast at night, trying real hard to be the last car to run, as they kept chopping the line as closing time got closer.

Anyway, I'm headed down there tomorrow and am planning to visit the park Wed afternoon/evening, all day Thurs, and then Friday morning before heading home. I have a Platinum pass and we normally visit CP with our fifth wheel, but I'm not bringing it for this trip due to the distance (I'm from Detroit) and short trip duration. Instead, I'm looking for lodging. I can get a room at the Kings Island resort for $80.99/nt. Is it worth this, or should I stay at an off-site dump for cheaper? I want to keep this trip cheap, since my wife is not happy I'm leaving her at home, and this is more of a recon trip for me to see where we would camp next time, what to do with the kids, etc.

Any help is appreciated . I'm hoping the park is not crowded and I'll have plenty of time to ride everything. There are a LOT of new rides since I've been there. The newest ride last time I went was that indoor rollercoaster....

I'll also be at KI on Thursday, and in Cincinnati for a Corey Smith concert on Wednesday. We're staying at the HI Express Suites Mason (4 people) for $108.

I have stayed at KI Resort the last few times I have visited the park. The facilities are adequate, clean and with a bus that departs every 15 mins for the park will save you money on parking.

There are quite a few hotels/motels in that area, but since I only live half an hour from KI, I don't know which are cheapest. You can pretty much find anything from basic motels (Super 8) to fancy hotels (Hyatt, Mariott) within 10 minutes of KI depending on your preferences and price range.

There is a Comfort Suites right up the road from KI (a little further north than KIRCC), and a few more places near The Beach (a small water park just north of KI).

Since I have a platinum pass, I don't really get any value from the free parking. In fact, I'd probably drive in and park anyways so I have someplace to keep my stuff.

I thought maybe there would be some perks with staying at the Kings Island resort, ie, early entry or something, but then again I should get the same thing already with my platinum pass, right?

The Kings Island Resort and Conference Center is no longer affiliated in any way with Kings Island or Cedar Fair. (Originally, the hotel was developed and owned by Taft, the owners of Kings Island). In fact, I`m not even sure if the KI Resort and Conference Center (or any other hotel) offers shuttle busses. If they do, they certainly don`t drop guests off as close to the front gates as they used to.

Yes, all Platinum Pass holders from any Cedar Fair park get access to the early rides times for KI Gold Pass holders. At least that is how it has worked in the past. As always, policies are subject to change without notice though.

In fact, I`m not even sure if the KI Resort and Conference Center (or any other hotel) offers shuttle busses. If they do, they certainly don`t drop guests off as close to the front gates as they used to.

The Kings Island Resort does still have a shuttle service...

http://www.kingsislandresort.com/information.html

...but to place blame where it belongs, it is Cedar Fair that does not allow them to drop off their guests inside the park any longer. They now drop you off at the public drop-off area by the sign...and I would be willing to bet that if the park could stop that they would!

Cedar Fair is in the hotel business...big time, though not yet at Kings Island.

When the "Official Resort" contract is up with Great Wolf Lodge, watch that relationship end quickly....

Obviously, financial obligations and history aside, I wonder if Cedar Fair would consider building a hotel on KI property? Yes, there would be some logistical things to work out, primarily traffic flow and the likely loss of some parking lot spaces (a parking garage would be feasible, but again, parking garages are EXPENSIVE). The hotel would be a way to capture "out of park" revenue at Kings Island.

That is one reason why Cedar Point will continue to be the flagship park of Cedar Fair. They are a resort destination, and have the marinas and hotels which provide additional revenue streams for Cedar Fair. Kings Island, currently, does not have that. Which ironically enough it did, when the park first opened.

Carl Lindner took care of that. Another reason I think that man, more than any other person, is responsible for many of the less than wonderful things that have happened to Kings Island. I am eternally grateful he was finally divested of his interest in exchange for a monetary consideration...well most of it, anyway.

I agree that Cedar Point is more of a destination theme park. It is a much different feel, especially if you stay on-site and the The Breakers is amazing if you are into history but I digress. While I did not attend Kings Island last year, yeah I missed DB debut, staying three years prior to the 09 season at KI Resort and Conference Center the bus drops you fairly close to the main gate, a short 200-250 yard walk, just clarifying I know it is a moot point for this post now.

MagnumFan, I hope you have a great time like my family did on our first trip to Cedar Point last year! I would be very interested in your trip report and a comparison between the two parks Have fun!