Description of the Business	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of the Business	1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) (collectively, the “Company”), owns and operates twelve theme parks within the United States. Prior to December 1, 2009, the Company did not have any operations. On December 1, 2009, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interest of Busch Entertainment LLC and affiliates from Anheuser Busch Companies, Inc. and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (“ABI”). At that time, the Company was owned by ten limited partnerships, ultimately controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) and certain co-investors. The Company completed an initial public offering in April 2013. See further discussion relating to subsequent ownership changes in Note 17–Related-Party Transactions. The Company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California, and Busch Gardens theme parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Company operates water attraction theme parks in Orlando, Florida (Aquatica); San Antonio, Texas (Aquatica); Chula Vista, California, (Aquatica); Tampa, Florida (Adventure Island); and Williamsburg, Virginia (Water Country USA). The Company also operates a reservations-only theme park in Orlando, Florida (Discovery Cove) and a seasonal theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Sesame Place). During each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 approximately 57% of the Company’s revenues were generated in the State of Florida.

Description of the Business

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) (collectively, the “Company”), owns and operates twelve theme parks within the United States. Prior to December 1, 2009, the Company did not have any operations. On December 1, 2009, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interest of Busch Entertainment LLC and affiliates from Anheuser Busch Companies, Inc. and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (“ABI”). At that time, the Company was owned by ten limited partnerships, ultimately controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”) and certain co-investors. The Company completed an initial public offering in April 2013. See further discussion relating to subsequent ownership changes in Note 17–Related-Party Transactions.

The Company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California, and Busch Gardens theme parks in Tampa, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Company operates water attraction theme parks in Orlando, Florida (Aquatica); San Antonio, Texas (Aquatica); Chula Vista, California, (Aquatica); Tampa, Florida (Adventure Island); and Williamsburg, Virginia (Water Country USA). The Company also operates a reservations-only theme park in Orlando, Florida (Discovery Cove) and a seasonal theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Sesame Place).

During each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 approximately 57% of the Company’s revenues were generated in the State of Florida.