I have been to DLR many times (3 times in 2007 so far) and am now considering an AP because my next visit will have cost more than the Deluxe pass... So, I have questions...

If I buy an AP with blackout dates and then realize I want to upgrade, can I or do I just know better for the next time?

If I figure the above out like 1/2 through the year and they let you upgrade, do I pay the full $120 or does it get prorated?

Are the discounts for the DLR hotels signifigant (so I can actually afford to stay there more often)?

Any info appreciated!

I can answer your first two questions, but I've never used the discounts for hotels so someone else will have to help you there.

You can upgrade to a Premium AP any time, but you pay the full $120 and it does not extend your expiration date.

The price difference between a Deluxe AP and a Premium AP is usually about 3 blockout tickets. I've only once bought 3 blockouts in a year, I usually end up buying one or two, so the Deluxe is more affordable for me.

When it's time to buy our new APs we start with ParkHoppers to use early entry and avoid blockouts for that trip, then upgrade on our last day. We visit every 3-4 months so the timing also makes more sense financially than renewing at our expiration date.

You always get 10% off Resort Hotels with your AP. When they run the special AP rates it is really worth having an AP for. We booked our November trip in May at the GCH for the price of $310 a night. AP4 rates came out and that price went down to $199. The special AP rate in February was even better. We got the GCH for $189 a night. So if you can afford a Resort Hotel the money saved per night is totally worth buying or upgrading to an AP.

Also just so you can compare the AP4 rate was $129 for the PPH and $149 for the DLH this fall.

I am so tempted to get one!! One more question, if anyone knows the answer...

If you have a Disney Rewards card, do you get a discount on an AP? If so, how much?

If you've already been 3 times this year, sounds like an AP is perfect for you. We had a 5 day visit (that turned into 6.5) with parkhoppers, and just one more day on a future visit would put our total OVER the deluxe AP, so it was easy to figure out that that is what we needed to do. :)

The blackout dates are posted well in advance, so it's pretty easy to plan around those dates. For us, at least. And you and I are in the same town, so it's the same amount of travel for us. :D

With the Deluxe, except for some peak Holiday weeks, it is pretty much Saturday's that are blocked out (and not every Saturday). So if you are coming down for a few days, and find the Saturday blocked, you can do something else for the day, such as visit Knott's, USH, LEGOLAND, etc., go to the beach, visit some local museum/educational areas, or go shopping. Heck, head up to Harbor and Orangethorpe, visit the Disney's Outlet store, and many other shops, some of which specialize in outlet/overstock stuff, plus many of places to eat. Then head back to the Hotel and enjoy the pool area.

Then visit Disneyland on the other days of your visit.

There's actually a small perk to blackout day tickets...to get into the gate they scan it and your AP...sooo...you can get 2 fastpasses at a time! Yay!!! :cool:

There's actually a small perk to blackout day tickets...to get into the gate they scan it and your AP...sooo...you can get 2 fastpasses at a time! Yay!!! :cool:

They've never scanned both for me... at least not that I remember!

I dunno....I've done it a couple times now, and I got to get a fastpass with the blackout ticket and my AP. :D My friend with me did too! It made paying the extra money sting a little less.... lol