I remember reading on a website (don't remember which one) that the activities are on a certain nights after 6. Not sure if that is still true so if anyone knows different, let us know. My family and I plan on eating at the ESPN Cafe and walk around Boardwalk. I would like to see some of the entertaininment that goes on.
My ds13 loves the carnival games. He will spend his hard earned $$ on them rather than souvenirs! We both love the juggling acts. I have always wanted to have my fortune read but there is always a line - maybe this trip . . . . . the action seems to start around 6 but we don't usually go over till after dinner or Illuminatons.
Not sure if there's an "official" start time. Our experience has been that, if we go in the afternoon (3-4PM) there's not much happening; around the dinner hour is when the entertainers arrive.