Property and Equipment, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

The components of property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, consisted of the following:


	2022			2021
	(In thousands)
Land	$	286,200		$	286,200
Land improvements		452,276			417,931
Buildings		814,729			753,209
Rides, attractions and equipment		1,736,206			1,665,122
Animals		141,083			142,017
Construction in progress		145,598			120,829
Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,869,413	)		(1,740,144	)
Total property and equipment, net	$	1,706,679		$	1,645,164

Depreciation expense was approximately $151.5 million, $146.5 million, and $148.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded approximately $7.2 million, $6.6 million and $6.7 million, respectively, in fixed asset write-offs, which is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).

See Note 1–Description of the Business, Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic, for further details regarding proactive measures the Company took starting in March 2020 relating to its capital expenditures including delaying the opening of certain new rides.