GRAND MOUND — Hundreds of out-of-town guests, and a few locals, filled the parking lot at Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound on Saturday afternoon, faces turned up to the sky.

    As a small aircraft buzzed by overhead, adults and children began cheering and shouting for Santa.

    A few moments later, the plane circled back and two figures were released into the gray sky — elves in parachutes. They dropped quickly and maneuvered with ease onto the grass cleared for them near the parking lot.

    The plane made a second circuit and passed by again. This time two more figures were released, and then a third, wearing a red and white suit with a long beard. People began clapping and cheering. Everyone was smiling. Santa was on his way.

    “I’ve seen a lot of Santas come before, but this was pretty cool,” said Lisa Deen, a parent from Port Townsend staying at the lodge with her children and other members of her family.

    The holiday-themed skydivers from Skydive! Toledo were an unexpected bonus for most guests Saturday, as were the tree lighting ceremony, free hot cider and real snow falling in the lobby.

    “We like to think of it as value added,” said John Poole, director of sales and marketing. “It doesn’t cost anything more to come during this time. Our big thing here is creating family traditions.”

    Poole declined to give specifics on guest numbers or how well the new indoor waterpark and hotel is doing after 20 months in South Thurston County, but he had positive things to say.

    “We are thrilled with the response we’re getting from the public in the Northwest,” he said.

    Great Wolf Lodges are located in several other North American locations, but the Grand Mound location is the first west of the Rocky Mountains.

    Great Wolf Lodge, which opened in March 2008, has several such themes planned for various holidays during the year. The Christmas theme is called Snow Land. It will continue through Christmas.

    Six machines in the vaulted lobby ceiling send real, water-based snow blowing gently through the air several times each day while in the next room guests splash and play in the 84-degree water park weather.

    In line with their mothers on Saturday, waiting to have their picture taken with Santa, were 5-year-old Evelyn Anderson, her 3-year-old sister Hazel, and their friend, 7-year-old Alyson Kinzel. All three girls are from the Olympia/Tumwater area.

    “I like the snow,” Alyson said.

    “And when Santa came, someone did a flip,” said Eve.

    Other themes planned include Snowball, for the New Year’s holiday, and festive activities for Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Halloween, according to John Poole.

    Radio Disney will be coming Dec. 12, he said.

    Dian McClurg is a former Chronicle reporter and current freelance writer living near Silver Creek. She can be reached at dlmcclurg@tds.net.