Summary Quarterly Financial Data - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016 Business
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of theme parks opened for a portion of the year	7

Number of theme parks opened for portion of period.

No definition available.

Name:	seas_NumberOfThemeParksOpenedForPortionOfPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration