13. RESTRUCTURING PROGRAMS

In October 2017, the Company executed a restructuring program in an effort to reduce costs, increase efficiencies, reduce duplication of functions and improve the Company’s operations (the “2017 Restructuring Program”). The 2017 Restructuring Program involves the elimination of approximately 350 positions by the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 across certain of the Company’s theme parks and corporate headquarters. As a result, during the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded $5,100 in pre-tax restructuring and other related costs associated primarily with estimated severance and other termination benefits related to the 2017 Restructuring Program. Severance and other termination benefits are provided under an ongoing benefit arrangement as defined by ASC 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits, and, accordingly, the liability was recorded in accrued salaries, wages, and benefits on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017.

In December 2016, the Company committed to and implemented a restructuring program in an effort to reduce costs, increase efficiencies, reduce duplication of functions and improve the Company’s operations (the “2016 Restructuring Program”). The 2016 Restructuring Program involved the elimination of approximately 320 positions across all of the Company’s theme parks and corporate headquarters. As a result, the Company recorded $8,904 in pre-tax restructuring and other related costs associated with the 2016 Restructuring Program during the three months ended December 31, 2016. The Company does not expect to incur any additional costs associated with the 2016 Restructuring Program as all continuing service obligations were completed as of December 31, 2016.

The 2017 and 2016 Restructuring Program activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was as follows:

Severance and Other Employment Expenses	2016 Restructuring Program			2017 Restructuring Program		Total
Liability as of December 31, 2016	$	7,842		$	—	$	7,842
Costs incurred		—			5,100		5,100
Reduction in estimated expenses		(572	)		—		(572	)
Payments made		(6,941	)		—		(6,941	)
Liability as of September 30, 2017	$	329		$	5,100	$	5,429

The remaining liability as of September 30, 2017 under the 2016 Restructuring Program relates to restructuring and other related costs to be paid as contractually obligated by December 31, 2017 and is included in accrued salaries, wages and benefits in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.