Restructuring Program and Separation Costs - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance costs	$ 112	$ 2,001	$ 2,001

Severance costs incurred in connection with the elimination of certain positions as part of a cost savings initiative.

No definition available.

Name:	seas_SeveranceCostsIncurredSeparateFromRestructuringPlan
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration