Property and Equipment, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

The components of property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, consisted of the following:

	2021			2020
	(In thousands)
Land	$	286,200		$	286,200
Land improvements		417,931			405,652
Buildings		753,209			737,231
Rides, attractions and equipment		1,665,122			1,547,786
Animals		142,017			142,307
Construction in progress		120,829			153,529
Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,740,144	)		(1,611,745	)
Total property and equipment, net	$	1,645,164		$	1,660,960

Depreciation expense was approximately $146.5 million, $148.0 million, and $156.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded approximately $6.6 million, $6.7 million and $2.7 million, respectively, in fixed asset write-offs, which is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss).

See Note 1–Description of the Business, Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic, for further details regarding proactive measures the Company has taken starting in March 2020 relating to its capital expenditures including delaying the opening of certain new rides.