Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	[1]	Jun. 30, 2017	[2]	Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (20,441)	$ 55,034		$ (175,850)		$ (61,129)	[3]	$ (11,905)	[4]	$ 65,655	$ 17,768	$ (84,049)	[5]	$ (202,386)	$ (12,531)	$ 49,133
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities														192,457	280,412	286,274
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Net cash used in investing activities														(171,272)	(160,286)	(157,377)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Purchase of treasury stock																(50,650)
Dividends paid to common stockholders														(1,544)	(65,306)	(72,318)
Net cash used in financing activities														(56,965)	(70,139)	(153,832)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents														(35,780)	49,987	(24,935)
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Beginning of year						68,958						18,971		68,958	18,971	43,906
Cash and Cash Equivalents—End of year	33,178							68,958						33,178	68,958	18,971
Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
Dividends declared, but unpaid														470	908	430
Parent Company [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income														(202,386)	(12,531)	49,133
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Equity in net loss (income) of subsidiary														202,386	12,531	(49,133)
(Adjustments to previous dividend declarations) dividends received, net of forfeitures, from subsidiary-return on capital														(31)	26,412	36,196
Net cash provided by operating activities														(31)	26,412	36,196
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Restricted payment from subsidiary																45,000
Dividends received from subsidiary-return of capital, net of forfeitures														1,137	39,372	36,381
Net cash used in investing activities														1,137	39,372	81,381
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Purchase of treasury stock																(50,650)
Dividends paid to common stockholders														(1,544)	(65,306)	(72,318)
Payment of cash for tax withholdings on equity-based compensation																(37)
Net cash used in financing activities														(1,544)	(65,306)	(123,005)
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents														(438)	478	(5,428)
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Beginning of year						$ 908						$ 430		908	430	5,858
Cash and Cash Equivalents—End of year	$ 470							$ 908						470	908	430
Supplemental Disclosures of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
Dividends declared, but unpaid														$ 470	$ 908	$ 430

[1] During the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded $5,100 in restructuring and other related costs primarily related to severance costs and other termination benefits. See Note 4–Restructuring Programs and Separation Costs for further details.

[2] During the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $269,332 related to the full impairment of the Company’s SeaWorld Orlando reporting unit and equity compensation expense of approximately $8,400 related to certain of the Company’s performance-vesting restricted shares (the “2.75x Performance Restricted shares”) for which a portion vested on May 8, 2017 with the closing of the Sale. See Note 9–Goodwill, Net and Note 19–Equity-Based Compensation for further details.

[3] During the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs of $8,020 related to the Amendment to its Existing Credit Agreement. See Note 12–Long-Term Debt for further details

[4] During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded $8,904 in restructuring and other related costs primarily related to severance costs and other employment expenses. See Note 4–Restructuring Programs and Separation Costs for further details.

[5] During the first quarter of 2016, the Company recorded $27,516 in equity compensation expense related to certain of the Company’s performance-vesting restricted shares (the “2.25x Performance Restricted shares”) which became probable of vesting during the first quarter and vested on April 1, 2016. See Note 19–Equity-Based Compensation for further details.