Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) Business Segment	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of theme parks owned and operated | Business	12
Number of theme parks opened for a portion of the year | Business	7
Number of reportable segment | Segment	1
Long term deferred revenue	$ 10,000		$ 10,071
Revenue	$ 220,575	$ 217,166
ZHG Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	seas:FoodMerchandiseAndOtherRevenueMember	seas:FoodMerchandiseAndOtherRevenueMember
Revenue	$ 1,700	$ 1,300
Middle East Project [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Long term deferred revenue	10,000		10,000
Deferred costs incurred under Middle East Project	$ 4,100		$ 3,800