Magic on the water
<p>More than 250 displays with more than 1.5 million lights can be seen on the Journey to the North Pole cruise, which began this week and runs through the Christmas Season. The cruise begins at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, travels across Lake Coeur d'Alene to Santa's Workshop, and back to The Resort.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — Four-year-old Leyton Cooper bounced with delight when he heard being a good boy this year had landed him on Santa's Nice List.
He also thought it was pretty cool that his cousin, Zara, 11; and his baby brother, Baron, 1, made the list, too.
"Oh, he was so excited," said Leyton's mom, Ashley Cooper, of Coeur d'Alene.
Many youngsters shared Leyton's joy Tuesday evening when Santa appeared at his workshop across Lake Coeur d'Alene and read his Nice List during a preview Journey to the North Pole Holiday Lake Cruise. The 40-minute cruises are taking place now through Jan. 3 and include a little something for everyone to get into the holiday spirit — magic elves, Christmas music, hot cocoa and a few surprises along the way.
"I liked the Grinch and the Christmas tree," Zara said.
"I like the Grinch and Santa," Leyton added with enthusiasm.
The Journey to the North Pole cruises, in their 18th year, provide guests opportunities to view more than 250 brilliant displays along The Coeur d'Alene Resort Boardwalk while departing to and returning from the North Pole. Spectators will see Santa and his flying reindeer, toy soldiers, stuffed stockings, sea serpents and even a fire-breathing dragon — all created from more than a million and a half colorful lights.
At Santa's Workshop, cruise guests will hear from Santa, see America's tallest floating Christmas tree illuminated to music and watch a special Christmas fireworks display over the North Pole.
"It helps to be in the Christmas spirit, to see the joy in everybody else's face and to know that you were a part of bringing that joy to everybody," said Capt. Carl Fus, who has been sailing Lake Coeur d'Alene cruise boats for more than 25 years. "It's a program that is near and dear to my heart. To ask which part of the whole thing is my favorite is like asking which of my children is my favorite. The whole thing is fun."
No journey to the North Pole would be complete without the elves. "Sparkle," the head elf for the cruises, said she worked at the North Pole headquarters before being hired to help train and direct elves in Coeur d'Alene.
"It takes a lot of training to be an elf," she said, her eyes sparkly with glitter. "You can't just pick anyone."
"Sparkle" is taller than other elves and her hands are larger, so she said toy making is just not her strong suit. This is her sixth year with the cruises in Coeur d'Alene, where she joyfully greets guests and helps make their experiences even more enchanting.
"I have the best job in the world because I give people memories that they'll keep forever," she said. "It's the coolest thing on the planet and I get kisses and hugs."
Fus said he encourages people to order tickets online and print them so they have them in hand when they arrive for the cruises.
"We advise people to park in the Third Street parking lot and then come into the Plaza Shops where they will be directed by our friendly group of elves," he said, adding the shops will be bustling with festive activities and characters such as the Gingerbread Man, a magical polar bear, Jack Frost and more. The elves and characters will be telling stories, handing out candy, making balloon animals and entertaining cruise guests as they wait in line.
"Sparkle" also said people should arrive early so they don't miss out on the fun.
"Every year is different," she said. "Every year we put a little effort into something different ... it's just never the same. Maybe because when you look at it through a little different eyes, the older you get you see different things and you have a different experience. It's not always the same."
Preview cruises continue through Thursday with "Journey to the North Pole" cruises taking place daily through Jan. 3 and departing at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. with more cruises scheduled as the need arises.
Tickets are available online at www.cdaresort.com/discover/activities/holiday-light-show or by calling 209-5031. Prices: Adults — $20.75; seniors, 55 and older — $19.75; children, 6-12 — $6; and children 5 and younger — free.