Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Business	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) Business Segment	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of theme parks owned and operated | Business	12		12
Number of theme parks opened for a portion of the year | Business			7
Number of reportable segment | Segment			1
Write-offs of property and equipment	$ 1,300		$ 1,900
Long term deferred revenue	10,673		10,673		$ 10,071
Revenue	$ 473,666	$ 483,175	$ 1,100,233	$ 1,092,262
ZHG Stock Purchase Agreement [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	seas:FoodMerchandiseAndOtherRevenueMember	seas:FoodMerchandiseAndOtherRevenueMember	seas:FoodMerchandiseAndOtherRevenueMember	seas:FoodMerchandiseAndOtherRevenueMember
Revenue	$ 0	$ 1,300	$ 1,700	$ 3,800
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	4,600		4,600		3,800
Other Liabilities [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Long term deferred revenue	$ 10,000		$ 10,000		$ 10,000
Certain Rides and Equipment [Member]
Business Description And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Write-offs of property and equipment		$ 4,200		$ 11,900