Financial Reporting by Business Segments - Segments Internal Financial Reports (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 253,148us-gaap_Revenues	$ 246,451us-gaap_Revenues
Depreciation and amortization	28,570us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	28,003us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Preopening costs	(592)us-gaap_PreOpeningCosts
Impairment and other charges	(2,890)
Operating income (loss)	35,890us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	32,797us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest expense	(13,813)us-gaap_InterestExpense	(15,670)us-gaap_InterestExpense
Interest income	3,008us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	3,031us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Other gains and (losses), net	(20,232)us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense	11us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense
Income before income taxes	4,853	20,169
Operating Segments [Member] \| Hospitality [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	236,454	232,203
Depreciation and amortization	26,443	25,514
Operating income (loss)	45,061	40,016
Operating Segments [Member] \| Entertainment (Previously Opry and Attractions) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,694	14,248
Depreciation and amortization	1,412	1,425
Operating income (loss)	2,120	552
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	715	1,064
Operating income (loss)	(7,809)	(7,771)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Preopening costs	(592)
Impairment and other charges	$ (2,890)

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

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The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long-lived assets held for abandonment, exchange or sale.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

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Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities.

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- Definition

Expenditures associated with opening new locations which are noncapital in nature and expensed as incurred.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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