Description of additional incentive for early achievement of adjusted EBITDA target.

No definition available.

Name:	seas_DescriptionOfAdditionalIncentiveForEarlyAchievementOfAdjustedEBITDATarget
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The length of the performance period related to the Long Term Incentive performance-vesting units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	seas_LengthOfPerformancePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of bonus which is payable in cash.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	seas_PercentageOfBonusInCash
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of bonus which is payable in performance-vesting restricted units based on the Company's achievement of performance goals.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	seas_PercentageOfBonusInUnits
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of restricted shares to vest under modification of award.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	seas_PercentageOfRestrictedSharesToVest
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of performance units eligible to vest per year.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	seas_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfUnitsVestRangeOnAnnualEligibleAwardVestingRightsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	seas_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 14.F)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate number of common shares reserved for future issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of paid and unpaid cash dividends declared and applicable to holders of share-based compensation, for example, but not limited to, non-vested shares, stock options, or restricted stock units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsShareBasedCompensationCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Price of a single share of a number of saleable stocks of a company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_PerformanceVestingRestrictedAwardsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_TwoPointSevenFivePerformanceRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=seas_ClosingOfStockSaleMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_OmnibusIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_TwoThousandEighteenBonusPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_BonusPerformanceRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_BelowThresholdPerformanceBonusRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_ThresholdPerformanceBonusRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_TargetPerformanceBonusRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_AtOrAboveMaximumPerformanceBonusRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_TwoThousandEighteenLongTermIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_LongTermIncentiveTimeRestrictedSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=seas_ThirdAnniversaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=seas_FourthAnniversaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VestingAxis=seas_FifthAnniversaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=seas_LongTermIncentivePerformanceRestrictedUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_TwoThousandEighteenLongTermIncentivePlanBelowThresholdPerformanceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_TwoThousandEighteenLongTermIncentivePlanThresholdPerformanceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_TwoThousandEighteenLongTermIncentivePlanForTargetPerformanceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=seas_TwoThousandEighteenLongTermIncentivePlanAtOrAboveMaximumPerformanceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Equity-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	May 08, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation expense		$ 7,545		$ 4,114
Recognized equity-based compensation expense		4,500
Unrecognized equity compensation cost		34,600
Performance-vesting Restricted Awards [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized equity compensation cost		$ 13,300
2.75x Performance Restricted Shares [Member] \| Upon Closing of Sale [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized equity-based compensation expense	$ 8,400
Percentage of restricted shares to vest				60.00%
Acquisition price paid per share				$ 23.00
Accumulated dividends paid related to performance shares which vested during the period			$ 1,300
Omnibus Incentive Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for future issuance, gross		15,000,000
Shares available for future issuance		7,650,000
2018 Bonus Plan [Member] \| Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of bonus payable by cash					50.00%
2018 Bonus Plan [Member] \| Bonus Performance Restricted Units [Member] \| Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of bonus payable by units					50.00%
2018 Bonus Plan [Member] \| Below Threshold Performance Bonus Restricted Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year				0.00%
2018 Bonus Plan [Member] \| Threshold Performance Bonus Restricted Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year				50.00%
2018 Bonus Plan [Member] \| Target Performance Bonus Restricted Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year				100.00%
2018 Bonus Plan [Member] \| At or Above Maximum Performance Bonus Restricted Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year				150.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Time Restricted Units [Member] \| Executives [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		5 years
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Time Restricted Units [Member] \| Third Anniversary [Member] \| Employees [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		3 years
Vesting percentage, per year		100.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Time Restricted Units [Member] \| Third Anniversary [Member] \| Executives [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		33.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Time Restricted Units [Member] \| Fourth Anniversary [Member] \| Executives [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		33.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Time Restricted Units [Member] \| Fifth Anniversary [Member] \| Executives [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		33.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan [Member] \| Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance period		3 years
Description of additional incentive for early achievement of adjusted EBITDA target		If the Company’s Fiscal 2020 Adjusted EBITDA target is achieved in 2018, 30% of target Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units will be earned and delivered in 2019; if the Company’s Fiscal 2020 Adjusted EBITDA target is achieved in 2019, 20% of target Long-Term Incentive Performance Restricted Units will be earned and delivered in 2020, in each case subject to the overall maximum award of 200% of target.
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan Below Threshold Performance [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		0.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan Threshold Performance [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		50.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan Target Performance [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		100.00%
2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan At or Above Maximum Performance [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage, per year		200.00%