Here's the scoop with how to beat the Northpark line...
They start giving out tickets at 9am M-Sat and 10am Sunday. Have someone (Mom, dad, you, hubby, whoever doesn't have child dressing responsibility) go get your number at 9am on a week day - without the kids. It takes them 2 minutes per number to get through the line. So if you're #30, and Santa starts taking pictures at 10am, you won't see him until 11am. Don't try and bring your kids to the mall hours before then in their dressy clothes - just don't. Get there first, then change them in Macy's restroom.
Once it starts getting within about 20 minutes until that time (time Santa started + 2 minutes per number), go stand in line. Beware, the line manager is the Grinch!
I learned this the hard way (once waited for 5 hours with a very impatient 1 year old) back when my son was little bitty and since then, we've always implemented this system. We went on Sunday and were #11, thanks to my mom getting there at 8am!
He's the best Santa around and I love my years of pictures with the SAME Santa!!!
C.