I've not ever been to the Boardwalk, but I agree that Downtown Disney is better for children during the day. The fountains are neat lit up at night, but Downtown Disney is sooo much busier at night because of Pleasure Island and people coming down there to eat. It was often times a zoo. Plus, we were there during the cheerleading competitions. Although these girls were nice and friendly to my daughter while we were standing in line at the food court at our resort, they weren't exactly wonderful role model material at night time. The dressed more maturely. Memories of DD with my daughter were that during the day it was great. At night, she seemed to be more crabby and less tolerable of DD.