Summary Quarterly Financial Data - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended													12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	[1]	Jun. 30, 2017	[2]	Mar. 31, 2017	[3]	Dec. 31, 2016	[4]	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	[5]	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 265,505	$ 437,712		$ 373,750		$ 186,357		$ 267,597		$ 485,318	$ 371,136	$ 220,241		$ 1,263,324	$ 1,344,292	$ 1,371,004
Operating (loss) income	(10,886)	108,822		(222,564)		(76,735)		(11,539)		152,641	38,050	(119,567)		(201,363)	59,585	159,436
Net (loss) income	$ (20,441)	$ 55,034		$ (175,850)		$ (61,129)		$ (11,905)		$ 65,655	$ 17,768	$ (84,049)		$ (202,386)	$ (12,531)	$ 49,133
(Loss) earnings per share:
Net (loss) income per share, basic	$ (0.24)	$ 0.64		$ (2.05)		$ (0.72)		$ (0.14)		$ 0.77	$ 0.21	$ (1.00)		$ (2.36)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.57
Net (loss) income per share, diluted	$ (0.24)	$ 0.64		$ (2.05)		$ (0.72)		$ (0.14)		$ 0.77	$ 0.21	$ (1.00)		$ (2.36)	$ (0.15)	$ 0.57

[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.