The components of property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, consisted of the following:

	2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Land	$	286,200		$	286,200
Land improvements		378,261			354,544
Buildings		690,921			670,121
Rides, attractions and equipment		1,476,866			1,433,246
Animals		142,081			142,147
Construction in process		82,709			65,816
Less accumulated depreciation		(1,365,006	)		(1,276,833	)
Total property and equipment, net	$	1,692,032		$	1,675,241

Depreciation expense was approximately $155.0 million, $155.2 million, and $191.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During 2016, the Company made a decision to remove deep-water lifting floors from the orca habitats at each of its three SeaWorld theme parks. As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded approximately $33.7 million of accelerated depreciation related to the disposal of these lifting floors.

During 2018, the Company recorded approximately $10.9 million in fixed asset disposals associated with certain rides and equipment which were removed from service during 2018, which is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2018. During 2017, the Company amended an existing agreement relating to the use of certain animals, which reduced the expected future cash flows related to the agreement. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment loss of approximately $7.8 million which is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017. During 2016, the Company recorded approximately $6.4 million in asset write-offs associated with a canceled project, which is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016.