Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 2,828,446	$ 2,748,161
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,161,631)	(1,029,165)
Total property and equipment, net	1,666,815	1,718,996
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	316,774	281,612
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	645,013	618,507
Rides, Attractions and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	1,368,018	1,310,645
Animals [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	158,199	158,191
Construction in Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 54,242	$ 93,006