Kings Island kicks off 2018 season this Saturday

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.If you love Cedar Point, have you checked out its sister park, Kings Island, located just north of Cincinnati?Guests with a platinum season pass to Cedar Point receive both free parking and admission to Kings Island, and families like ours love making the trip down for a weekend of fun.While Cedar Point may not open to guests until May 5, Kings Island opens Saturday, making for a great time to get in some early rides in the season.Are your kids going stir-crazy from the long winter and anxious to get outdoors? Parents and kids love Planet Snoopy at Kings Island, Voted "Best Kids' Area in the World" for 17 consecutive years by the international industry trade publication Amusement Today. Featuring 20 rides and meet-and-greets with your favorite Peanuts characters, like Snoopy and Charlie Brown, Planet Snoopy is a great way to work off those winter blues.Guests with a platinum season pass to Cedar Point receive both free parking and admission to Kings Island and can ride each attraction there, including the Diamondback roller coaster. For you thrill-seekers, have you had the chance to ride Mystic Timbers, the award-winning new wooden coaster debuting in 2017? Kings Island packs 12 roller coasters —15 if you factor in the three kids coasters — into the park, including favorites like The Beast, Diamondback, and Banshee.New this year at Kings Island: the Coney Bar B Que fast-casual dining location. It will offer various barbecue favorites, including smoked St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork, rotisserie chicken and Queen City Sausage, along with a fresh selection of side dishes. The Coney Bar B Que is included in the Kings Island dining plans.If you are like us, you also enjoy some good eats while at the parks. Kings Island has announced a brand new dining experience and executive chef for 2018.Located in the Coney Mall section of the park, the Coney Bar B Que fast-casual dining location will offer various barbecue favorites including smoked St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork, rotisserie chicken and Queen City Sausage, along with a fresh selection of side dishes. The Coney Bar B Que is included in the Kings Island dining plans.Platinum season passholders will also want to take advantage of visiting Kings Island in late September through October for Haunt, and then again for Winterfest starting at the end of November through December.Guests with a platinum season pass to Cedar Point receive both free parking and admission to Kings Island, which includes admission to Winterfest , spanning from the end of November through December.