Hi Rebecca,
Thank you so much for visiting the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. I truly love
Disney's BoardWalk. Disney's BoardWalk Villas is my home resort with Disney Vacation Club. Part of what I love so much is the hustle and bustle along Disney's BoardWalk. There is always something to see and do!
I love your plan to spend an evening at Disney's BoardWalk. There are great restaurants, including Trattoria al Forno and Flying Fish Cafe, as well as a multitude of shops and BoardWalk-style games. A ride on a friendship boat can also be very fun and relaxing.
I have seen the street performers at Disney's BoardWalk myself, and they are very entertaining. I spoke with at cast member at Walt Disney World today who let me know that the performers are typically those such as magicians and jugglers, and that currently they appear nightly between 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The shows are great for children, who generally gather around in amazement. It does appear that sometimes this entertainment is on select evenings, so I would recommend that you confirm with a cast member upon your arrival the nights that the entertainment will occur during your stay.
I hope that this information is helpful for you, Rebecca. Have a great time planning your Walt Disney World vacation, and please do not hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.