Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 3,057,038	$ 2,952,074
Less accumulated depreciation	(1,365,006)	(1,276,833)
Property and equipment, net	1,692,032	1,675,241
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	286,200	286,200
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	378,261	354,544
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	690,921	670,121
Rides, Attractions and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	1,476,866	1,433,246
Animals [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	142,081	142,147
Construction in Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 82,709	$ 65,816