Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) Business Partnership Segment	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of theme parks owned and operated | Business	12
Number of limited partnerships which owned the Company | Partnership | Partnership	10
Number of theme parks opened for a portion of the year | Business	7
Deferred tax liabilities net, noncurrent	$ 18,721	$ 65,689
Number of reportable segment | Segment	1
Accelerated depreciation related to the disposal of the lifting floors	$ 33,700
Blue World Project Asset Write-offs	$ 6,400
Minimum [Member] | Animals [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	1 year
Maximum [Member] | Animals [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	50 years
Scenario Previously Reported [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets, net		$ 2,975
Restatement Adjustment
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets net, noncurrent	$ 503
Deferred tax liabilities net, noncurrent	$ 2,472