Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company in conjunction with Blog Meets Brand, and I have been compensated for my participation. All opinions are my own.
Taking a group of Kings Island first timers to the park for a day of rides and fun can be a little daunting but it doesn’t have to be! We took our three plus their aunt to help with some of the logistics of rides and for that extra pair of hands. There are quite a few ways you can take your family to Kings Island and enjoy everyone’s first time!
Once you arrive at Kings Island and everyone has cleared security and entered the park, grab a map (or two). My kids are map lovers so everyone wants to have one, but keep a copy for yourself. This will come in VERY handy when you need to locate the nearest restroom, drink refill station, food location, or just navigate around to the different rides.
If you have littles, you’ll absolutely be heading to Planet Snoopy.
Excuse the faces. We had to deal with some rain and this was after a BIG storm had gone through and some showers remained. It was starting to rain again but you know, mamarazzi.
Inside the Planet Snoopy area, you will find several great rides for the younger crowd. You’ll also find the insanely popular ‘blueberry ice cream’. If it’s your first time at the park, get some. Trust me. You will also find a couple of great places to ride out any rain – the Snoopy shop and the Boo Blasters on Boo Hill indoor ride.
Psst: At each ride, there is a height checker if a height requirement must be met to ride. Double check everyone’s height and be ready to accompany the smaller ones. This is why we brought the kids’ aunt – an extra adult! At 19, she’s able to accompany a child on any ride that she’s needed. That lets mom and dad take turns with all of the kids too!
Speaking of rain, we definitely knew it was going to happen. It was in the forecast, we saw it on the radar, we went anyway. What’s a little rain, right? We timed it JUST RIGHT so that it was dinner time while it was storming. How? Simply by keeping an eye on my phone and weather apps! On a hot day, Reds Hall of Fame Grille is the perfect place to hide out! A sit-down style restaurant with air conditioning! Plus, if you’re a Reds fan, it’s a must! There are games playing on TV’s all over the place and memorabilia to check out while you wait for your food or after you eat. I will say, with it being a Wednesday and a live Reds game, I kind of thought every TV would have the game on. There were a few, with the others showing some other channels. A little disappointed since we love our Reds and expected for a Reds-themed restaurant it would be Reds 24/7!
If you’re comfortable leaving your bag in a locked container during rides or in a locker, then definitely bring a lightweight backpack. This way, you can bring along any diapering or potty training needs, a small first aid kit, sunblock, etc. It also helps to have a place to stick any small purchases so your hands are free for the kids. Pack light if you can. Do a diaper/training pant change as soon as you get there. You can also get your hands stamped at the entrance which will allow you to return to your car and be admitted back into the park. This is a good idea if you want to keep extra clothes in your car (for rain or accidents).
You can find a lot of important information at the Planning Your Day section of the Kings Island website. Of super importance to check out to parents? Parent Swap and Kid Track!
Our kids had a blast, and I’m so thankful that they did! Going for the first time you really don’t know what to expect. There’s a lot of walking, a lot of people (depending on when you go – midweek was great!), and lots to see and do. They will definitely all fall asleep in the car, so the ride home can be a nice relaxing one for the adults! My tip? Stop in at the candy store for some sweet treats for everyone and sneak a few on the way home!
The post-storm sunset was absolutely beautiful. The park was pretty deserted (score!), and we could let the kids explore a bit more without being in the way of others. Be sure to check out the live entertainment, and every night at closing there are fireworks! Wear comfortable shoes – you will do a TON of walking!
Visit Kings Island with your family soon! It’s definitely worth a trip to Cincinnati, Ohio – you won’t regret it!
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