Financial Reporting by Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Venture segment	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segments internal financial reports
Revenues	$ 269,399	$ 225,232	$ 236,775	$ 220,738	$ 213,329	$ 158,272	$ 183,879	$ 214,481	$ 952,144	$ 769,961	$ 872,845
Depreciation and amortization	34,594	32,367	29,271	29,057	27,285	25,254	25,951	27,071	125,289	105,561	116,567
Operating income	19,768	13,837	31,200	14,726	(27,630)	(32,616)	(20,693)	14,953	79,531	(65,986)	56,843
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(74,673)	(81,426)	(76,592)
Interest income									12,460	13,124	15,087
Income (loss) from unconsolidated companies									1,086	608	(5)
Gain on extinguishment of debt										1,299	18,677
Other gains and (losses)									(916)	(535)	2,847
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations	7,706	(722)	13,432	(2,928)	(45,116)	(49,229)	(37,744)	(827)	17,488	(132,916)	16,857
Total identifiable assets	2,563,400				2,620,933				2,563,400	2,620,933
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Total capital expenditures									132,592	194,647	53,065
Financial Reporting by Business Segments (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of business segments									3
Number of joint ventures									2
Casualty Loss [Member]
Segments internal financial reports
Operating income									(1,225)	(42,321)
Hospitality [Member]
Segments internal financial reports
Revenues									886,634	722,938	814,154
Depreciation and amortization									109,521	91,117	101,444
Operating income									130,939	91,705	112,171
Total identifiable assets	2,320,853				2,309,800				2,320,853	2,309,800
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Total capital expenditures									110,151	159,576	42,995
Opry and Attractions [Member]
Segments internal financial reports
Revenues									65,386	46,918	58,599
Depreciation and amortization									5,261	4,710	4,674
Operating income									8,760	1,237	5,050
Total identifiable assets	78,482				78,453				78,482	78,453
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Total capital expenditures									4,745	23,767	3,626
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segments internal financial reports
Revenues									124	105	92
Depreciation and amortization									10,507	9,734	10,449
Operating income									(58,535)	(61,320)	(60,378)
Total identifiable assets	163,675				232,279				163,675	232,279
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
Total capital expenditures									17,696	11,304	6,444
Pre-Opening Costs [Member]
Segments internal financial reports
Operating income									(408)	(55,287)
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Segments internal financial reports
Total identifiable assets	$ 390				$ 401				$ 390	$ 401