Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 182,252		$ 105,349
Receivables	63,106		51,518
Inventories	32,902		30,753
Other current assets	15,921		12,589
Total current assets	294,181		200,209
Property and Equipment, net	1,841,608		1,599,438
Investment in Park	0		0
Goodwill	359,654		178,719	$ 183,830
Other Intangibles, net	59,899		36,376
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	14,324
Other Assets	11,479		9,441
Assets	2,581,145		2,024,183
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	7,500		5,625
Accounts payable	29,344		23,314
Deferred revenue	151,377	$ 107,100	107,074
Accrued interest	21,442		7,927
Accrued taxes	39,237		29,591
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	29,549		18,786
Self-insurance reserves	24,665		24,021
Other accrued liabilities	21,024		18,381
Total current liabilities	324,138		234,719
Deferred Tax Liability	82,046		81,717
Derivative Liability	18,108		6,705
Lease Liability	10,600
Other Liabilities	10,336		11,058
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	714,150		719,507
Notes	1,431,733		938,061
Total long-term debt	2,145,883		1,657,568
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	(9,966)		32,416	$ 82,946	$ 60,519
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	2,581,145		2,024,183
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Receivables	0		0
Inventories	0		0
Other current assets	182		179
Total current assets	182		179
Property and Equipment, net	0		0
Investment in Park	641,068		601,706
Goodwill	674		674
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	0
Other Assets	0		0
Assets	641,924		602,559
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	644,839		565,472
Deferred revenue	0		0
Accrued interest	7		1
Accrued taxes	448		443
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	0		0
Other accrued liabilities	6,596		3,318
Total current liabilities	651,890		569,234
Deferred Tax Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability	0		909
Lease Liability	0
Other Liabilities	0		0
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	0		0
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	(9,966)		32,416
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	641,924		602,559
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	116,428		32,715
Receivables	1,077,688		938,397
Inventories	30,116		28,618
Other current assets	13,929		10,544
Total current assets	1,238,161		1,010,274
Property and Equipment, net	1,657,371		1,426,292
Investment in Park	246,629		218,575
Goodwill	297,598		119,605
Other Intangibles, net	46,217		23,346
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	14,167
Other Assets	11,441		9,405
Assets	3,511,584		2,807,497
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,187		4,641
Accounts payable	26,045		18,620
Deferred revenue	140,447		98,614
Accrued interest	19,376		5,871
Accrued taxes	34,314		27,487
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	12,492		12,374
Other accrued liabilities	7,760		10,024
Total current liabilities	246,621		177,631
Deferred Tax Liability	89,733		87,516
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	10,475
Other Liabilities	9,401		9,889
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	588,725		592,982
Notes	984,952		491,820
Total long-term debt	1,573,677		1,084,802
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	1,581,677		1,447,659
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	3,511,584		2,807,497
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Eliminations
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	(533)		(692)
Receivables	(1,051,190)		(922,469)
Inventories	0		0
Other current assets	0		(5,007)
Total current assets	(1,051,723)		(928,168)
Property and Equipment, net	0		0
Investment in Park	(2,536,590)		(2,265,088)
Goodwill	0		0
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	(24,308)		(18,224)
Right-of-Use Asset	0
Other Assets	0		0
Assets	(3,612,621)		(3,211,480)
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	(1,051,723)		(923,161)
Deferred revenue	0		0
Accrued interest	0		0
Accrued taxes	0		(5,007)
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	0		0
Other accrued liabilities	0		0
Total current liabilities	(1,051,723)		(928,168)
Deferred Tax Liability	(24,308)		(18,224)
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	0
Other Liabilities	0		0
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	0		0
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	(2,536,590)		(2,265,088)
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	(3,612,621)		(3,211,480)
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Receivables	1,299		1,093
Inventories	0		0
Other current assets	1,269		1,411
Total current assets	2,568		2,504
Property and Equipment, net	769		802
Investment in Park	1,356,149		1,182,345
Goodwill	0		0
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	24,308		18,224
Right-of-Use Asset	0
Other Assets	0		0
Assets	1,383,794		1,203,875
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,313		984
Accounts payable	407,384		359,953
Deferred revenue	0		0
Accrued interest	5		1
Accrued taxes	1,656		6,668
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	27,080		17,552
Self-insurance reserves	10,549		10,214
Other accrued liabilities	6,389		4,903
Total current liabilities	454,376		400,275
Deferred Tax Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability	18,108		5,796
Lease Liability	0
Other Liabilities	935		1,169
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	125,425		126,525
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	125,425		126,525
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	784,950		670,110
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	1,383,794		1,203,875
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	66,357		73,326
Receivables	35,309		34,497
Inventories	2,786		2,135
Other current assets	541		5,462
Total current assets	104,993		115,420
Property and Equipment, net	183,468		172,344
Investment in Park	292,744		262,462
Goodwill	61,382		58,440
Other Intangibles, net	13,682		13,030
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	157
Other Assets	38		36
Assets	656,464		621,732
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	2,799		2,430
Deferred revenue	10,930		8,460
Accrued interest	2,054		2,054
Accrued taxes	2,819		0
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	2,469		1,234
Self-insurance reserves	1,624		1,433
Other accrued liabilities	279		136
Total current liabilities	22,974		15,747
Deferred Tax Liability	16,621		12,425
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	125
Other Liabilities	0		0
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	446,781		446,241
Total long-term debt	446,781		446,241
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	169,963		147,319
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	656,464		621,732
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Receivables	0		0
Inventories	0		0
Other current assets	182		179
Total current assets	182		179
Property and Equipment, net	0		0
Investment in Park	641,068		601,706
Goodwill	674		674
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	0
Other Assets	0		0
Assets	641,924		602,559
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	644,839		565,472
Deferred revenue	0		0
Accrued interest	7		1
Accrued taxes	448		443
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	0		0
Other accrued liabilities	6,596		3,318
Total current liabilities	651,890		569,234
Deferred Tax Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability	0		909
Lease Liability	0
Other Liabilities	0		0
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	0		0
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	(9,966)		32,416
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	641,924		602,559
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	991		2,052
Receivables	1,032,339		902,155
Inventories	4,703		5,216
Other current assets	1,312		1,564
Total current assets	1,039,345		910,987
Property and Equipment, net	1,657,371		1,426,292
Investment in Park	246,629		218,574
Goodwill	111,217		111,217
Other Intangibles, net	46,217		23,346
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	707
Other Assets	8,971		8,988
Assets	3,110,457		2,699,404
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	6,492		3,625
Deferred revenue	27,903		24,552
Accrued interest	0		0
Accrued taxes	25,523		19,400
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	1,695		2,066
Other accrued liabilities	1,907		4,553
Total current liabilities	63,520		54,196
Deferred Tax Liability	89,733		87,516
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	457
Other Liabilities	9,314		9,802
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	0		0
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	2,947,433		2,547,890
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	3,110,457		2,699,404
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Eliminations
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	(533)		(692)
Receivables	(1,051,190)		(922,469)
Inventories	0		0
Other current assets	0		(5,007)
Total current assets	(1,051,723)		(928,168)
Property and Equipment, net	0		0
Investment in Park	(4,678,396)		(3,782,984)
Goodwill	0		0
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	(24,308)		(18,224)
Right-of-Use Asset	0
Other Assets	0		0
Assets	(5,754,427)		(4,729,376)
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	(1,051,723)		(923,161)
Deferred revenue	0		0
Accrued interest	0		0
Accrued taxes	0		(5,007)
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	0		0
Other accrued liabilities	0		0
Total current liabilities	(1,051,723)		(928,168)
Deferred Tax Liability	(24,308)		(18,224)
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	0
Other Liabilities	0		0
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	0		0
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	(4,678,396)		(3,782,984)
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	(5,754,427)		(4,729,376)
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Receivables	1,299		1,093
Inventories	0		0
Other current assets	1,269		1,411
Total current assets	2,568		2,504
Property and Equipment, net	769		802
Investment in Park	1,356,149		1,182,345
Goodwill	0		0
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	24,308		18,224
Right-of-Use Asset	0
Other Assets	0		0
Assets	1,383,794		1,203,875
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,313		984
Accounts payable	407,384		359,953
Deferred revenue	0		0
Accrued interest	5		1
Accrued taxes	1,656		6,668
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	27,080		17,552
Self-insurance reserves	10,549		10,214
Other accrued liabilities	6,389		4,903
Total current liabilities	454,376		400,275
Deferred Tax Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability	18,108		5,796
Lease Liability	0
Other Liabilities	935		1,169
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	125,425		126,525
Notes	0		0
Total long-term debt	125,425		126,525
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	784,950		670,110
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	1,383,794		1,203,875
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	66,357		73,326
Receivables	35,309		34,497
Inventories	2,786		2,135
Other current assets	541		5,462
Total current assets	104,993		115,420
Property and Equipment, net	183,468		172,344
Investment in Park	292,744		262,462
Goodwill	61,382		58,440
Other Intangibles, net	13,682		13,030
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	157
Other Assets	38		36
Assets	656,464		621,732
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	2,799		2,430
Deferred revenue	10,930		8,460
Accrued interest	2,054		2,054
Accrued taxes	2,819		0
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	2,469		1,234
Self-insurance reserves	1,624		1,433
Other accrued liabilities	279		136
Total current liabilities	22,974		15,747
Deferred Tax Liability	16,621		12,425
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	125
Other Liabilities	0		0
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	0		0
Notes	446,781		446,241
Total long-term debt	446,781		446,241
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	169,963		147,319
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	656,464		621,732
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Millennium) | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	115,437		30,663
Receivables	45,349		36,242
Inventories	25,413		23,402
Other current assets	12,617		8,980
Total current assets	198,816		99,287
Property and Equipment, net	0		0
Investment in Park	2,141,806		1,517,897
Goodwill	186,381		8,388
Other Intangibles, net	0		0
Deferred Tax Asset	0		0
Right-of-Use Asset	13,460
Other Assets	2,470		417
Assets	2,542,933		1,625,989
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,187		4,641
Accounts payable	19,553		14,995
Deferred revenue	112,544		74,062
Accrued interest	19,376		5,871
Accrued taxes	8,791		8,087
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0		0
Self-insurance reserves	10,797		10,308
Other accrued liabilities	5,853		5,471
Total current liabilities	183,101		123,435
Deferred Tax Liability	0		0
Derivative Liability	0		0
Lease Liability	10,018
Other Liabilities	87		87
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	588,725		592,982
Notes	984,952		491,820
Total long-term debt	1,573,677		1,084,802
Partners' (Deficit) Equity	776,050		417,665
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	$ 2,542,933		$ 1,625,989