Hi Kathleen:
There are no silly questions. In fact, you ask a great question. While there are similarities between the
Boardwalk area and
Downtown Disney, there are differences as well. Both the Boardwalk area and Downtown Disney are entertainment districts at Disney World offering restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. Each area offers different restaurants, shopping and entertainment. I encourage you to follow those links I provided to learn more of each area's specific offerings. To me, Downtown Disney offers more in terms of shopping and entertainment venus, such as a movie theatre, Cirque du Soleil, and a breathtaking balloon ride,
Characters in Flight, providing 360 degree views over Disney property. The Boardwalk area is more intimate and less intense.
In terms of seeing the entertainers, I've found that there are more performers at the Boardwalk. The street performers tend to come out and perform their acts starting in the early evening. My six-year old and four-year old enjoyed watching a magician perform on the Boardwalk during our last trip.
To get to the Boardwalk, you can hop on a Disney bus to one of the Boardwalk area Resorts (such as the Beach Club, Yacht Club, or Boardwalk Resort), or walk from Epcot's International Gateway entrance or take a long walk or boat ride from Hollywood Studios.
Enjoy your vacation.