Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail)		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 07, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Swap	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Swap	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) Swap	May 14, 2013	Dec. 01, 2009 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 1,573,650,000		$ 1,573,650,000		$ 1,601,287,000
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 17,200,000		$ 17,200,000
Percentage of initial public offering net proceeds in restricted payments				6.00%
Percentage of Market Capitalization on restricted payment				7.50%
Restrictive covenants, restricted payments used				$ 66,000,000
Restrictive covenants, restricted payments capacity remaining				24,000,000
Cash paid for interest				$ 42,521,000	$ 49,681,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate of interest		0.75%		0.75%
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Combined Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges On Three Swaps [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swaps matured | Swap		4		4
Number of interest rate derivatives held with combined notional amount | Swap		3		3
Notional amount of interest rate swap		$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fourth Traditional Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap		$ 250,000,000		$ 250,000,000
Fixed rate of interest on swaps		0.901%		0.901%
Variable rate of interest		0.75%		0.75%
Forward Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate swap							$ 1,000,000,000
Variable rate of interest							0.75%
Number of interest rate swaps held | Swap							5
Maturity of interest rate swap				May 14, 2020
Weighted average fixed interest rate							2.45%
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Combined Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges On Three Swaps [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate of interest on swaps		1.051%		1.051%
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Combined Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedges On Three Swaps [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed rate of interest on swaps		1.049%		1.049%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts		$ 1,589,000		$ 1,589,000		2,383,000
Long-term debt						15,000,000
Senior secured revolving		192,500,000		192,500,000
Permitted increased commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility in aggregate principal amount		$ 350,000,000		$ 350,000,000
Interest rate, description				Borrowings of loans under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at SEA’s option, (a) a base rate equal to the higher of (1) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%, and (2) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America, N.A. as its “prime rate” or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the 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 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%
Debt instrument interest rate selected percentage		2.50%		2.50%
Commitment fees on unused portion of facility				0.50%
Amount available for borrowing		$ 175,300,000		$ 175,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans				0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans				1.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans				2.75%
Restrictive Covenants [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restrictive covenants, restricted payments capacity available				$ 90,000,000
Restrictive Covenants [Member] | Scenario One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio				5.00%
Restricted payment on Senior Secured Credit Facilities				$ 90,000,000
Minimum Total Leverage Ratio				4.50%
Restrictive Covenants [Member] | Scenario Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio				4.50%
Restricted payment on Senior Secured Credit Facilities				$ 120,000,000
Minimum Total Leverage Ratio				4.00%
Restrictive Covenants [Member] | Scenario Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio				4.00%
Restricted payment on Senior Secured Credit Facilities				$ 120,000,000
Minimum Total Leverage Ratio				3.50%
Term B-3 Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, balance	$ 280,000,000
Long-term debt, maturity date				May 14, 2020
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts		2,839,000		$ 2,839,000		3,448,000
Long-term debt		245,800,000		$ 245,800,000		$ 247,900,000
Percent of original principal amount on effective date used to calculate aggregate annual amount which will amortize in equal quarterly installments	1.00%
Mandatory prepayments		$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate, description				Borrowings of Term B-3 Loans bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to, at SEA’s option, (a) a base rate equal to the higher of (1) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (2) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America, N.A. as its “prime rate” or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the 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.
Debt instrument interest rate effective percentage		4.33%		4.33%		4.33%
Debt instrument interest rate selected percentage		4.00%		4.00%
Term B-3 Loans [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	0.50%
Term B-3 Loans [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	2.25%
Term B-3 Loans [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans	3.25%
Term B-3 Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate effective percentage		1.75%		1.75%
Term B-3 Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate effective percentage		0.75%		0.75%
Term B-2 Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, balance									$ 1,405,000,000
Long-term debt, maturity date				May 14, 2020
Unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts		$ 12,117,000		$ 12,117,000		$ 14,713,000
Long-term debt		1,327,850,000		$ 1,327,850,000		$ 1,338,387,000
Percent of original principal amount on effective date used to calculate aggregate annual amount which will amortize in equal quarterly installments								1.00%
Mandatory prepayments		$ 0	$ 0
Interest rate, description				The Term B-2 Loans were initially borrowed in an aggregate principal amount of $1,405,000. Borrowings under the Senior 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 rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America, N.A. as its “prime 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.
Debt instrument interest rate effective percentage		3.26%		3.26%		3.26%
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 total net leverage ratio equal to or less than 3.25 to 1.00.
Basis point step down on applicable margin upon achievement of certain leverage ratio				0.25%
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio				3.25%
Debt instrument interest rate selected percentage		3.00%		3.00%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans				0.50%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans				1.25%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable margin for Term Loans				2.25%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Base Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate effective percentage		1.75%		1.75%
Term B-2 Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member] | LIBOR Rate Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate effective percentage		0.75%		0.75%
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, balance									$ 400,000,000
Long-term debt, maturity date				Dec. 01, 2016
Repayment of outstanding principal	$ 260,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | April 7, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price for Senior Notes Percentage	105.50%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
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%		100.00%
Percentage of net proceeds incurrence of debt				100.00%
First lien secured net leverage ratio				3.50%
Percentage of interest in subsidiary		100.00%		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, SEA and substantially all of SEA’s direct or indirect material wholly-owned 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.
Percentage of capital stock				65.00%
Restrictive covenants, description				The Senior Secured Credit Facilities 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 Senior Secured Credit Facilities) after giving effect to the payment of any such restricted payment, the Total Leverage Ratio, (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities), 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 (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities), 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.
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Scenario One [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of annual excess cash flow used to prepay outstanding loan				25.00%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Scenario One [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of annual excess cash flow used to prepay outstanding loan				0.00%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Restrictive Covenants [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum Total Leverage Ratio				5.00%
Total Leverage Ratio				4.73%