Santa fires up sleigh for the holidays
LOREN BENOIT/PressJosh, left, and Beck Olson watch fire spew from a dragon Tuesday night aboard a Journey to the North Pole Cruise boat.
LOREN BENOIT/PressAbbie Gebbers and Beau Marie, 3, watch flames spew from a fire breathing dragon Tuesday night aboard a Journey to the North Pole Cruise boat.
LOREN BENOIT/PressGuests aboard a cruise boat watch fireworks explode in the sky Tuesday night at the North Pole.
LOREN BENOIT/PressRuby Krajic, 9, takes a picture with The Gingerbread Man and Rudolph Tuesday night aboard a Holiday Light Show Media Cruise.
LOREN BENOIT/Press Various North Pole lights reflect across the waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
LOREN BENOIT/PressSanta and his elf friend greet children on the Journey to the North Pole cruise Tuesday night.
LOREN BENOIT/PressGuests arrive at the North Pole aboard a Coeur d'Alene Resort cruise boat to see Santa.
By DEVIN WEEKS
Hagadone News Network
COEUR d’ALENE — This year, Santa's taking some inspiration from a Lake City summer tradition.
"This summer, I was visiting the Car d’Lane and I saw all those slick cars, and it made me realize that I haven’t slicked up the old sleigh in over 200 years," the jolly elf said in voice that boomed across Lake Coeur d'Alene. "So I dusted off my magic toolbox and went to work. Let’s see what this baby can do."
Cruise boat passengers eagerly watched across the water as Santa fired up his sleigh at The North Pole.
“My reindeer would be so happy if they don't have to work as hard,” Santa said with a "Ho, ho, ho!" as the sleigh roared.
"We turbocharged the sleigh," said Capt. Carl Fus, a longtime friend of Santa's who will be sailing families across the lake for another season of magic during the Journey to the North Pole Cruises. "And the fireworks are going to be more spectacular than ever before."
When Santa was done showing off his sleigh's new features Tuesday evening during the holiday preview cruise, he let everyone in on who made it on the Nice List.
Joey Broenneke, 6, wiggled in his mom's arms when Santa read his name for all to hear. A genuine dance of joy and relief immediately followed.
"I'm really happy," Joey said.
“He was relieved because he had been naughty earlier in the week,” said his mom, Hayley Broenneke. "He was nervous."
Back for their 20th season, Journey to the North Pole Cruises are once again taking guests across the lake to the North Pole where they will see Santa, his elves' workshops and a brilliantly animated floating Christmas tree.
Along the way, cruise passengers will see more than 1.5 million lights in more than 250 displays, including a fire-breathing dragon.
"I liked Santa when he said my name, the fireworks and even the lights," said 4-year-old Tori Phillipy, who went on the cruise with her big sister, Tia, 11, and their mom and dad.
"We come because it's family and it's fun," said her mom, Nikki.
The elves who merrily greeted passengers agreed that these cruises hold special adventures for kiddos.
“It’s just the lights and the whole ambience,” said "Shimmer" the Elf (played by Sophie Steiner). "The whole feeling, the music, the elves. The whole vibe it gives off is so festive and it gets everybody so excited. It’s just really great to see how people react to it."
“Especially the children,” added Shannon "Sparkles" Merrill. “It’s so magical for them. When Santa reads off their names, their eyes just sparkle.”
The 40-minute North Pole cruises will run through Jan. 1 with departures from The Coeur d'Alene Resort Boardwalk three times nightly at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Guests are asked to arrive 45 minutes before departure time. Elves will direct passengers when the boats are ready to board. Tickets range from $6-$20.75 and are free for those 5 and younger.
Tickets: cdaresort.com