Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Business Segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Reclassified from dividends payable to other accrued liabilities		$ 500,000
Cash and cash equivalents settlement terms	less than four days
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 34,073,000	33,178,000
Allowance on installment arrangements of accounts receivable	14,700,000	9,500,000
Reduction to deferred revenue	14,700,000	9,500,000
Interest capitalized	4,200,000	2,700,000	$ 2,700,000
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	6,100,000	9,200,000
Capitalized Computer Software, Accumulated Amortization	9,900,000	16,100,000
Capitalized Computer Software, Amortization	3,700,000	3,500,000	3,400,000
Self-insurance reserves	31,200,000	30,600,000
Revenue and related expense for bartered ticket transactions	$ 16,600,000	20,800,000	29,100,000
Revenue, practical expedient, initial application and transition, nondisclosure of transaction price allocation to remaining performance obligation	true
Revenue, practical expedient, incremental cost of obtaining contract	true
Number of theme parks owned and operated | Business	12
Number of reportable segment | Segment	1
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Other advertising and media costs	$ 127,500,000	118,000,000	$ 124,600,000
Accrued Salaries, Wages and Benefits [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserves	3,800,000	2,600,000
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserves	$ 6,900,000	7,100,000
Computer System Development Costs [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
FDIC insured amount	$ 250,000
Maximum [Member] | Animals [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	50 years
Minimum [Member] | Animals [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	1 year
Amounts Due from Third-Party Credit Card Companies [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 17,400,000	$ 16,800,000