COEUR d'ALENE - The fire-breathing dragon on Lake Coeur d'Alene shoots flames about 30 feet beyond his snout.

Lucky for the citizens of the City by the Lake, they're happy Christmas flames. And the dragon is made of lights.

"I just thought it was a good step up," said Alex Weed, 14, of Coeur d'Alene. "The flames on the dragon were pretty cool."

The dragon and the rest of the brilliant displays illuminated the waters Thursday evening during the preview event of the Journey to the North Pole cruise.

About 185 people were greeted by joyful characters such as Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer when they boarded the festive vessel, which sailed across the lake to the North Pole to see Santa Claus and his elves. Children trembled with excitement, climbed on top of their daddies' shoulders and crunched to the front of the boat to hear Santa read who is on this year's "nice list."

Derek Deis of Spokane and his son, Dylan, have been on the cruise in previous years, and Derek said the "nice list" reading is always an exciting moment for his son.

"He's always very anxious if they're going to say his name on the 'nice list,'" Derek said. "There were some tense moments because they got to the Ds toward the very end this time, but he loves everything about it."

On the Journey to the North Pole cruise, passengers will see 1.5 million lights in more than 255 holiday displays ranging from the Nativity and Noah's Ark to a cross-country skier, a hot air balloon and many more. New this year is the animated floating Christmas tree, which rises 60 feet above the water as its dazzling red, white and blue lights dance in time to the "Carol of the Bells." Accompanying the animated tree is a fireworks display that lights the night above the North Pole.

"I enjoyed spending time with my family," said Katharine Weed, 11. "It was really fun, I loved the Christmas tree."

The cruise is a family adventure cruise, filled with hot cocoa and cider, Christmas music, cheerful elves and an encounter with a taciturn Grinch. Alex and Katharine, who are siblings, enjoyed the cruise with their parents and grandparents.

"It's exceptionally nice to spend the holiday season with your family and enjoy such wonderful hospitality of The Coeur d'Alene Resort," said their grandpa, Michael Shoffner. Their grandma, Louise, said the Journey to the North Pole cruise just sets the moment for the Christmas spirit.

"This has to be a tradition," she said with a smile and a twinkle in her eyes. "It just does, because it brings on the holidays. I'm in the spirit and I'm looking at Christmas gifts."

Bill Reagan, general manager of The Resort, said the Journey to the North Pole cruises and Resort Holiday Light Show, which takes place at 5 p.m. Nov. 28, have given The Resort and Coeur d'Alene a real identity when it comes to the holidays. The cruises had a robust start, he said, and they have become traditions for many families.

"They're all just excited about Christmas," he said. "It's that special time of year because really, everybody, all the kids are excited and it's about kids and families. It's really a fun program to do."