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Goodwill, Net - Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount at January 1, 2017				$ 335,610
Net carrying amount, Goodwill beginning balance		$ 66,278	$ 335,610
Goodwill impairment charge			(269,332)
Changes in goodwill		0
Net carrying amount, Goodwill ending balance		66,278	66,278
SeaWorld Orlando [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount at January 1, 2017				269,332
Net carrying amount, Goodwill beginning balance		0	269,332
Goodwill impairment charge	$ (269,300)		(269,332)
Changes in goodwill		0
Net carrying amount, Goodwill ending balance		0	0
Discovery Cove [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount at January 1, 2017				$ 66,278
Net carrying amount, Goodwill beginning balance		66,278	66,278
Changes in goodwill		0
Net carrying amount, Goodwill ending balance		$ 66,278	$ 66,278