blackout exception and renewing AP time frame

[halfmonkey]

We went this weekend and renewed our SoCal AP and received a blackout exception to enter the park on Saturday. I was wondering if anybody knows how early we can renew our AP's? Our AP's expire on Dec 21st but we're wondering if we're able to renew sometime in the summer time and enter the park on a Saturday in the summer rather than the winter time.

Is there a time frame of when you can renew your AP's like 30 day, 45 days, or 90 days? Our preference would be to renew at the end of September which would be about 90 days because our kids are in year round school and while most kids would have just started school a few weeks ago, we get two weeks off at the end of September and the weather is still very nice and the crowds and hotel costs are typically lower.

 

[figment_jii]

According to Disneyland.com, it says "You can renew online or in person starting 40 days before your Annual Passport's expiration date."
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/annual-passes/renewal-options/

 

[SMD]

I don't know how local you are, but I volunteered at runDisney events and got free tickets that aren't blocked during the summer. Last year I just bought a 1 day, 1 park ticket. It was cheaper than the next level AP. Between using 2 tickets for volunteering (I also gave 2 away), buying a 1 day ticket, renewing on a blockout date and a CM friend (I know not everyone has that) I went 6 times between Memorial Day and Labor Day last year when my AP would have been blocked.