all the holding areas release the guests once security gives the all clear. depends on the night and date on when that time can happen. some nights they have released the guests at 5:45 while other times it has been 6:10ish. (it can vary on the date you are there) still, you have a head start on the 3 open houses. last year, some of the houses had a later opening time, 6:30/7:00 on the nights i was there. did finish the early houses but then waited in line before park opening for the next house. i prefer the finnegans hlding area the best. i have stayed in the other two holding areas in past nights. the one i least liked was the holding area up front in the park, right next to the main merch store. only one way to exit from that area. and, if you get there after it starts to fill up, you are motioned by the TM's to go to the back of the large group standing in the front.