Experience the magic
Photos: LOREN BENOIT/Press Charlie Linder holds his son, James, 2, as they watch the Grinch do a funny dance next to the boat during a Journey to the North Pole cruise Thursday night.
Fireworks explode over a 60-foot tall animated floating Christmas tree at the “North Pole” during a Journey to the North Pole cruise Thursday night. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Hunter Green, 5, gives Rudolph a big hug during a Journey to the North Pole cruise Thursday night.
Guests watch flames shoot out the back of Santa’s Sleigh during a Journey to the North Pole Cruise Thursday night.
Guests scan the shoreline of the North Pole after the lights of Santa’s workshop illuminated the landscape during the Journey to the North Pole cruise Thursday night. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
COEUR d’ALENE — Santa’s jolly elves, Glitter and Snowflake, greeted guests with smiles, stickers and candy canes Thursday evening as passengers boarded the Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruise boat for the Holiday Light Show Media Kick-Off Cruise.
A gingerbread man, polar bear and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer joined the elves in welcoming their guests, and even started an impromptu dance party with 6-year-old Grey St Clair and other excited wee ones before the boat set sail.
“I think it’s pretty good,” Grey said once he was warm inside the cabin with a Christmas cookie in hand.
He was looking forward to the adventure ahead — his first time experiencing the magical Journey to the North Pole Cruise across Lake Coeur d’Alene to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“I love it,” he said. “I can’t wait to see all the lights when the boat goes away."
A slight sprinkling of rain was no bother on an otherwise warmish and clear evening as the well-attended preview cruise sailed for the North Pole in Casco Bay.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were waiting at their house, where Santa showed off his super-charged sleigh and invited everyone to count from five to light up America’s tallest floating Christmas tree, covered in lights that danced to “Carol of the Bells.”
“Well, we’re really high-tech here on the North Pole, thanks to Mama Claus and the elves,” Santa said.
Parents held their kids on their hips and shoulders so they could get a better view. The little ones squealed with joy during the pyrotechnic show over Santa’s house as fireworks brightened the sky with red, green, gold and other merry colors bursting with Christmas spirit.
Jenny Janson with her husband and their 22-month-old son also enjoyed their first time on the holiday cruise.
“Did you see the Grinch? That was pretty cute,” she said, referring to the beloved grouchy Christmas character that shouts at the cruise guests from docks of The Resort Boardwalk.
She said the whole experience — the more than 150 lighting displays, the fireworks at the North Pole, everything — is amazing.
“They put a lot into it,” she said. “They just do a ton.”
Friends and coworkers Marie Nail and Nicole Kahler of CDA 2030 stood on the deck of the boat as it headed back to The Resort. Nail said the cruise was “really festive and magical.”
“The fireworks were amazing this year,” she said.
“It was so exciting to see my son’s face light up when Santa called his name,” Kahler said. “I think there was a real sense of surprise that he made the ‘nice’ list.”
The media cruise was held as the commencement of preview week for the 32nd annual Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show. Cruise tickets are discounted through Wednesday.
The Journey to the North Pole Cruise departs at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 through Jan. 2.
Tickets and info: www.cdaresort.com/discover/activities/holiday-light-show