Hi Brittany:
Early January is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. The weather typically is high 70s to low 80s. I was at Disney World two and a half years ago during the first week of January when it was unseasonably cold. However, when I was at Disney World three years ago in early January, the weather was in the normal 70s and 80s. So it's always a good idea to dress in layers in case the weather changes unexpectedly.
Crowds should be light since school is generally back in session by the first week in January. The Disney World Marathon weekend is scheduled for January 5-8, 2012, so you may notice some minor leftover crowds in the beginning of the week. Other than the marathon weekend that will be ending during your visit, there are
no official special events going on. Check out this list of special
tours and experiences offered around the World. The Wild Africa Trek is very popular.
I would make an Advance Dining Reservation for a special meal, somewhere like California Grill atop the Contemporary Resort. California Grill features delicious California Fusion cooking and spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom and the Wishes fireworks show. I would also recommend Le Cellier, a tasty steakhouse at Epcot's Canada Pavilion or Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which serves dishes influenced by African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
After dinner, I would head to Downtown Disney for a stroll through the shops and to take a balloon ride on
Characters in Flight (a romantic experience with a breathtaking view of Disney World property and beyond.) Or, head to Epcot and stroll around the countries of World Showcase, taking in a drink or dessert.