Couple of AP questions

[AnjieNet]

DD8 and I are heading to US/IOA in October. DH and I are going on a cruise next year either the beginning of February or mid-March and thinking about staying at one of the on-site hotels and going to US/IOA for a couple of days before or after. I'm trying to decide whether I should get an annual pass for myself since I will probably be going for 4 days. Here's my questions:

1. Power Pass would work for our October dates but unsure if it would for the 2013 dates. When will the blackout dates be published for 2013?

2. If I went with the Preferred Pass, how much is the AP discount for lodging and dining/shopping? Is it more than the AAA discount? We already have AAA membership so it would only be an incentive for us if it's greater.

3. How much is the AP discount on theme park tickets for your guests? Again, AAA has a fairly decent discount but I would think the AP would be greater here.

4. If I went with the Power Pass and decided that the Preferred was better for my situation, would I be able to upgrade for the price difference?

Thanks!

 

[Akwafunk]

1. not sure, call UOR?
2. AP rate is, I believe, a better than AAA for lodging. We have both. I've not been able to verify though, since there has never been an AVAILABLE AAA rate when I've tried to book. They only release a certain number. You could test this with your proposed visit dates, go and try and book online and insert APH and AAA into the discount code and see how it shakes out. It's the same for shopping/ dining.
3. Don't know, I think my best deal came with Undercover Tourist, actually.
4. Hmmm. No idea.

I will say though that having an AP makes you feel like you should be making more trips...