CONCORD — Waiting in line for Santa Claus at the mall is a thing of the past for East Bay families.

Concord’s Sunvalley Shopping Center is offering an “Express Lane” for those wanting to take photos with Santa. Like buying a fast pass in Disneyland, purchasing a photo package in advance gets a family into the fast-tracked express lane at the mall, cutting down on what has become a long wait at many malls.

Pleasanton’s Stoneridge Shopping Center is similarly striving for innovation in their Santa photo experience. There, you can put down a $10 “deposit” to make an appointment for a Santa photo, bringing you to the front of the line when you arrive at your scheduled time.

It does not appear that those options are available for pet photo sessions — another Santa experience both malls are offering this year.

Santa’s Express Lane begins at Sunvalley on Nov. 25, although photos with Santa are available now without the line-skipping pass. At Stoneridge, families can make appointments now through Dec. 24 to take a photo with Santa.