Picture a lake, with canal ways coming into it, and going out, at several places. Epcot is at one end of a canal way off the lake. Then, you have YC/BC on one side of the lake. Across the lake from them is BW (and the boardwalk area). You need to cross over the canal way from Epcot to get to BW. Then, walk past BW, cross another bridge going over a second canalway (that goes to MGM) and you'll be at the S/D. If you go left, you go to the S/D, if you go right, you're headed full circle to the YC/BC.
Now that that is as clear as mud.....
The boardwalk has some fun eating spots....ESPN Club, Spoodles, Flying Fish, Big River Brewery....as well as the Boardwalk Bakery, Seashore Sweets. And there are some fun shops along the way. Nightly, there is lots of different entertainment along the boardwalk...jugglers, magicians, piano player on a tricycle. And don't forget those ever present surry bikes!!! Ding Ding!!!