Summary Quarterly Financial Data - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs			$ 8,020		$ 8,143		$ 20,905
Goodwill impairment charge					269,332
Recognized equity-based compensation expense		$ 8,400
Restructuring and other related costs related to severance costs and other employment expenses	$ 5,100			$ 8,904
Equity compensation expense					23,203	$ 37,515	$ 6,527
2.25x Performance Restricted Shares [Member]
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Equity compensation expense			$ 27,516			$ 27,516
SeaWorld Orlando Reporting Unit [Member]
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge		$ 269,332			$ 269,332