Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Apr. 24, 2013	Apr. 05, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Aug. 12, 2014	Jan. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 01, 2009	May 14, 2013	May 31, 2013 Swap	Aug. 23, 2012 Swap	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs, net	$ 20,003,000	$ 27,453,000		$ 27,453,000
Amounts of outstanding long-term debt	1,612,438,000	1,657,975,000		1,657,975,000
Amount that should have been capitalized		10,635,000	2,951,000
Increase in accumulated deficit											4,324,000
Effective interest rate	3.00%
Commitment fees on unused portion of facility	0.50%
Outstanding letters of credit	18,100,000
Mandatory prepayments	0	0
Unamortized discount	8,985,000	11,394,000		11,394,000
Restrictive covenants, description	The Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indenture governing the Senior Notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict SEA's ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain restricted payments (as defined in the applicable agreement), including dividend payments and share repurchases. In particular, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indenture permit restricted payments in an aggregate amount per annum not to exceed the greater of (1) 6% of initial public offering net proceeds received by SEA or (2) (a) $90,000, so long as, on a pro forma basis (as defined in the applicable agreement) after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio, (as defined in the applicable agreement), is no greater than 5.00 to 1.00 and greater than 4.50 to 1.00, (b) $120,000, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.50 to 1.00 and greater than 4.00 to 1.00, (c) the greater of (A) $120,000 and (B) 7.5% of market capitalization, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 4.00 to 1.00 and greater than 3.50 to 1.00 and (d) an unlimited amount, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio is no greater than 3.50 to 1.00.
Percentage of initial public offering net proceeds in restricted payments	6.00%
Percentage of market capitalization on restricted payment	7.50%
Share Repurchase Program, authorized amount	15,000,000									250,000,000
Cash paid for interest	74,933,000	85,514,000	102,551,000
Short-Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured revolving credit facility existing	20,000,000
Duration of loan	5 days
On or After December 1, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price for Senior Notes percentage	105.50%
On or After December 1, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price for Senior Notes percentage	102.75%
Prepayments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount that should have been written off				856,000	1,061,000	1,145,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, balance													400,000,000
Long-term debt, maturity date	Dec. 01, 2016
Amounts of outstanding long-term debt	260,000,000	260,000,000		260,000,000
Amount aggregate principal outstanding must be greater than to use the corresponding instrument's maturity date								50,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate	11.00%
Warrant issued in connection with senior note												808,000
Price per unit												$ 100
Additional paid-in capital and a discount on the Senior Notes												5,000,000
Unamortized discount	1,369,000	2,083,000		2,083,000
Senior Notes [Member] | On or After December 1, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price for Senior Notes percentage							111.00%
Term B-2 Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, balance													1,405,000,000
Long-term debt, maturity date	May 14, 2020
Amounts of outstanding long-term debt	1,352,438,000	1,397,975,000		1,397,975,000
Interest rate, description	Borrowings under the Secured Credit Facilities bear interest, at SEA’s option, at a rate equal to a margin over either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the Bank of America’s prime lending rate and (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the British Bankers Association (“BBA”) LIBOR rate, or the successor thereto if the BBA is no longer making a LIBOR rate available, for the interest period relevant to such borrowing.
Basis point step-down in applicable margin, description	The applicable margin for the Term B-2 Loans (under either a base rate or LIBOR rate) is subject to one 25 basis point step-down upon achievement by SEA of a certain total leverage ratio.
Basis point step down on applicable margin upon achievement of certain leverage ratio	25.00%
Percent of original principal amount on effective date used to calculate aggregate annual amount which will amortize in equal quarterly installments														1.00%
Voluntary principal repayment of term loans	31,500,000
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	1.25%
Floor rate	1.75%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	2.25%
Floor rate	0.75%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	0.50%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
First lien secured net leverage ratio	3.50
Percentage of annual excess cash flow used to prepay outstanding loan	50.00%
Percentage of net proceeds from sale of non-ordinary assets	100.00%
Percentage of net proceeds incurrence of debt	100.00%
Percentage of equity interest owned in a subsidiary	100.00%
Line of credit facility collateral description	The Senior Secured Credit Facilities are collateralized by first priority or equivalent security interests, subject to certain exceptions, in (i) all the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, substantially all of the Company’s direct or indirect material domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, any “first tier” foreign subsidiaries and (ii) certain tangible and intangible assets of SEA and the Company. Certain financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including a maximum total net leverage ratio, minimum interest coverage ratio and maximum capital expenditures are included in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.
Percentage of capital stock	65.00%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap held	3														2	2
Notional amount of interest rate swap	1,000,000,000															550,000,000
Maturity of interest rate swap	Sep. 30, 2016
Fixed rate of interest on swaps																1.247%
Variable rate of interest	0.75%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate of interest on swaps	1.051%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate of interest on swaps	1.049%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Term B-2 Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap																	450,000,000
Maturity of interest rate swap	Sep. 30, 2016
Fixed rate of interest on swaps	1.051%
Variable rate of interest	0.75%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Term B Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity of interest rate swap	Sep. 30, 2016
Interest Rate Swap One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap															275,000,000	275,000,000
Interest Rate Swap Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap															275,000,000	275,000,000
Partnership Units [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Warrant issued in connection with senior note												101,000
Subject to SEA Attaining Certain Total Leverage Ratios [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of annual excess cash flow used to prepay outstanding loan	25.00%
Subject to SEA Attaining Certain Total Leverage Ratios [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of annual excess cash flow used to prepay outstanding loan	0.00%
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured revolving	192,500,000
Amounts of outstanding long-term debt	0	0		0
Number of days used to calculate maturity								91 days
Senior secured revolving credit facility maturity date	The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on the earlier of (a) April 24, 2018 and (b) the 91st day prior to the earlier of (1) the maturity date of Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount greater than $50,000 outstanding and (2) the maturity date of any indebtedness incurred to refinance any of the term loans or the Senior Notes.
Basis point step-down in applicable margin, description	The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is 1.75%, in the case of base rate loans, and 2.75%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The applicable margin (under either a base rate or LIBOR rate) is subject to one 25 basis point step-down upon achievement by SEA of certain corporate credit ratings.
Basis point step down on applicable margin upon achievement of certain leverage ratio	0.25%
Effective interest rate	2.50%
Permitted increased commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in aggregate principal amount	350,000,000
Letters of credit available amount	174,400,000
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	1.75%
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	2.75%
Amendment Number One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount that should have been capitalized						1,074,000
Amount that should have been expensed						4,326,000
Amount that should have been written off						13,939,000
Amendment Number Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount that should have been written off						45,000
Amendment Number Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount that should have been capitalized					10,789,000
Amount that should have been expensed					5,072,000
Amount that should have been written off					992,000
Reduction (increase) in income before tax					5,265,000
Amendment Number Five [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount that should have been capitalized				4,854,000
Amount that should have been expensed				3,871,000
Amount that should have been written off				8,121,000
Reduction (increase) in income before tax				(2,152,000)
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured revolving credit facility existing	50,000,000
Restricted Covenants [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restrictive covenants, restricted payments capacity available	120,000,000
Restrictive covenants, restricted payments used	104,900,000
Restricted Covenants [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Leverage Ratio	4.48
Restricted Covenants [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Leverage Ratio	4.25
Restricted Covenants [Member] | Subject to SEA Attaining Certain Total Leverage Ratios [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restricted payment on Senior Secured Credit Facilities	90,000,000
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio	5.00
Minimum Total Leverage Ratio	4.50
Restricted Covenants [Member] | Scenario Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restricted payment on Senior Secured Credit Facilities	120,000,000
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio	4.50
Minimum Total Leverage Ratio	4.00
Restricted Covenants [Member] | Scenario Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restricted payment on Senior Secured Credit Facilities	120,000,000
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio	4.00
Minimum Total Leverage Ratio	3.50
Restricted Covenants [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restrictive covenants, restricted payments capacity available									$ 120,000,000