Macbook Pro Superdrive not working?

Question

Although I have found many threads alike, nothing seems to have worked for me so far.
I bought a 13 inch Macbook Pro around Spring 2011 and have been using it with no issues until now.
The issue is that the Superdrive is refusing to read CD's and DVD's. With Audio CD's it spits them out almost instantly, but not before making a rather discouraging 'error' noise. With DVD's it tries to read them multiple times and usually takes around 30 seconds to a minute for it to eject it automatically and makes the same loading noise around 3-5 times during attempts.
I haven't used the Macbook to play many DVD's or games and I have only played a few CD's using iTunes. I discovered this issue yesterday after attempting to play a game in my macbook. I tried around 3 DVD's and CD's and all of them showed the same results. I am positive that this is a hardware issue as the DVD's & CD's play in other machines with absolutely no issues.
I have tried blowing air into the superdrive, resetting the SCM, repairing 'Macintosh HD' in Disk Utility, resetting the PRAM, running in Safe Mode and creating a new user account and obviously up to now, nothing has worked.
Is there anything else I should try before taking it into an Apple Store? I have made a genius bar appointment for next Monday but I am wondering if there is anything else that I should try first.
It is also probably worth mentioning that I have run the same discs in the past multiple times without fail, and also that the drive still appears on System Profiler. Perhaps also that I haven't used the Superdrive in a long time and I have updated this machine several times after using it. Also; I can't get hold of a lens-cleaner before Monday, so that's out of the question.
If it is a hardware issue, and the Superdrive does require to be fixed/replaced, how much would this cost, as my Macbook is technically no longer under Warranty?
The name listed in System Profiler states: HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS23N under 'Disk Burning' and it also says 'Reads DVD: Yes'.
Many Thanks.

Answer 1

First, if the Mac is still within its one-year base warranty, get it over to the Store pronto so the drive can be replaced for free.
Second, if the Mac is still within its one-year base warranty, seriously consider purchasing the 2-year AppleCare warranty extension right now. Can prove to be cheaper than having to pay for repairs down the road.
If the warranty is kaput and none of the above apply, can check in PowerBookMedic.com or IFixIt.com for the cost of a new drive. Cause it seems like it is kaput too. Unless you're all ten thumbs, replacement is fairly straightforward. The same places mentioned have detailed videos or pictorials on the procedure.