Hard time deciding how many points we truly need.

[Wedgeout]

I still feel like the cheaper upfront cost of VDH is probably a wash when you add up TOT costs.

But you don’t needs to add up any TOT costs. That’s paid only when you play at the Disneyland Hotel. Those taxes exist already with any Anaheim lodging & most likely still cheaper outcome then cash stays.

You don’t pay a yearly TOT. Stay somewhere else, you pay their fees. Most $0 with a little to Hawaii on those stays.