Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Aug. 01, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	SEAS
Entity Registrant Name	SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001564902
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		78,684,920
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-35883
Entity Tax Identification Number	271220297
Entity Address, Address Line One	9205 South Park Center Loop
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Orlando
Entity Address, State or Province	Florida
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	32819
City Area Code	(407)
Local Phone Number	226-5011