That’s probably the best way to go about it.
I know that in the Golfs you need to confirm that you want the ESC off – i’m not sure if you’ll find a single button press. I think that got changed recently (the Golf 7.5 GTE/GTI had a button in the centre console, the 8 needs confirmation), so i would assume that you’re out of luck there.
But, i can’t say for sure of course. I haven’t had the need to turn it off either way, and i don’t think there’s many situations in the GTE where it’d become necessary for us either. Especially in your case with AWD, it shouldn’t make that much of a difference.
Good luck either way though, at least you got the annoying driving help crap sorted.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.