Summary Quarterly Financial Data - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended															12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	[1]	Sep. 30, 2018	[2]	Jun. 30, 2018	[3]	Mar. 31, 2018	[4]	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	[5]	Jun. 30, 2017	[6]	Mar. 31, 2017	[7]	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 280,028		$ 483,175		$ 391,921		$ 217,166		$ 265,505	$ 437,712		$ 373,750		$ 186,357		$ 1,372,290	$ 1,263,324	$ 1,344,292
Operating (loss) income	10,874		151,730		55,210		(66,147)		(10,886)	108,822		(222,564)		(76,735)		151,667	(201,363)	59,585
Net (loss) income	$ (11,053)		$ 95,988		$ 22,697		$ (62,844)		$ (20,441)	$ 55,034		$ (175,850)		$ (61,129)		$ 44,788	$ (202,386)	$ (12,531)
(Loss) earnings per share:
(Loss) earnings per share, basic	$ (0.13)		$ 1.11		$ 0.26		$ (0.73)		$ (0.24)	$ 0.64		$ (2.05)		$ (0.72)		$ 0.52	$ (2.36)	$ (0.15)
(Loss) earnings per share, diluted	$ (0.13)		$ 1.10		$ 0.26		$ (0.73)		$ (0.24)	$ 0.64		$ (2.05)		$ (0.72)		$ 0.52	$ (2.36)	$ (0.15)

[1] During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs of $8.2 million related the Amended Credit Agreement. See Note 12–Long-Term Debt for further details. The Company also recorded approximately $2.5 million in fixed asset disposals associated with certain rides and equipment which were removed from service during the quarter. See Note 8–Property and Equipment, Net for further details.

[2] During the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $3.9 million in restructuring and other separation costs primarily related to severance costs and other termination benefits. See Note 21–Restructuring Programs and Other Separation Costs for further details. The Company also recorded approximately $3.8 million in fixed asset disposals associated with certain rides and equipment which were removed from service during the quarter. See Note 8–Property and Equipment, Net for further details.

[3] During the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $8.7 million of pre-tax expenses associated with separation-related costs and a legal settlement accrual. See Note 15–Commitments and Contingencies and Note 21–Restructuring Programs and Other Separation Costs for further details. The Company also recorded approximately $4.5 million in fixed asset disposals associated with certain rides and equipment which were removed from service during the quarter. See Note 8–Property and Equipment, Net for further details.

[4] During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $21.5 million of pre-tax expenses associated with separation-related costs and a legal settlement accrual. See Note 15–Commitments and Contingencies and Note 21–Restructuring Programs and Other Separation Costs for further details.

[5] During the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded $5.1 million in restructuring and other separation costs primarily related to severance costs and other termination benefits. See Note 21–Restructuring Programs and Other Separation Costs for further details.

[6] During the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $269.3 million related to the full impairment of the Company’s SeaWorld Orlando reporting unit and equity compensation expense of approximately $8.4 million related to certain of the Company’s performance-vesting restricted shares (the “2.75x Performance Restricted shares”) for which a portion vested on May 8, 2017 with the closing of the ZHG Transaction. See Note 9–Goodwill, Net and Note 19–Equity-Based Compensation for further details.

[7] During the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs of $8.0 million related to Amendment No. 8 to its Existing Credit Agreement. See Note 12–Long-Term Debt for further details.