Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 2,748,161	$ 2,612,052
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,029,165)	(867,421)
Total property and equipment, net	1,718,996	1,744,631
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	286,200	286,200
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	281,612	289,892
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	618,507	566,112
Rides, Attractions and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	1,310,645	1,267,832
Animals [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	158,191	158,362
Construction in Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 93,006	$ 43,654