Summary Quarterly Financial Data - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Pre-tax expenses associated with separation-related costs and legal settlement accrual			$ 8,700	$ 21,500
Expense associated with fixed asset disposals including certain rides and equipment	$ 2,500	$ 3,800	$ 4,500
Restructuring and other separation cost related to severance costs and other termination benefits.		$ 3,900			$ 5,100
Loss on early extinguishment of debt and write-off of discounts and debt issuance costs	$ 8,200						$ 8,000	$ 8,150	$ 8,143
Goodwill impairment charge									269,332
Recognized equity-based compensation expense						$ 8,400		$ 5,500
SeaWorld Orlando Reporting Unit [Member]
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment charge						$ 269,300			$ 269,332