Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		$ 1,474,925	$ 1,348,530	$ 1,321,967
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		642,200	584,350	558,102
Selling, general and administrative		222,252	193,333	193,770
Depreciation and amortization		170,456	155,529	153,222
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		4,931	10,178	12,728
Gain on sale of investment		(617)	(112)	(1,877)
Total costs and expenses		1,165,486	1,058,011	1,026,756
Operating income (loss)		309,439	290,519	295,211
Interest expense, net		98,331	84,172	84,748
Net effect of swaps		16,532	7,442	(45)
Loss on early debt extinguishment	$ 1,100	0	1,073	23,121
Gain on foreign currency		(21,107)	36,254	(29,086)
Other expense (income)		529	182	(115)
Income from investment in affiliates		0	0	0
Income before taxes		215,154	161,396	216,588
Provision for taxes		42,789	34,743	1,112
Net income		172,365	126,653	215,476
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			8,366	7,975
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,536)	25,606	(6,874)
Total comprehensive income		160,829	152,259	208,602
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Costs and expenses:
Gain on sale of investment				0
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Costs and expenses:
Gain on sale of investment				0
Eliminations
Costs and expenses:
Gain on sale of investment				0
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		96,986	103,687	104,080
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		2	0	0
Selling, general and administrative		3,189	2,301	3,007
Depreciation and amortization		0	0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		0	0	0
Gain on sale of investment		0	0
Total costs and expenses		3,191	2,301	3,007
Operating income (loss)		93,795	101,386	101,073
Interest expense, net		26,356	23,339	23,739
Net effect of swaps		2,168	1,228	(150)
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	11,773
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		250	250	250
Income from investment in affiliates		(119,542)	(61,484)	(160,925)
Income before taxes		184,563	138,053	226,386
Provision for taxes		12,198	11,400	10,910
Net income		172,365	126,653	215,476
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			8,366	7,975
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,536)	25,606	(6,874)
Total comprehensive income		160,829	152,259	208,602
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		1,370,420	1,268,200	1,239,067
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		736,649	692,731	666,063
Selling, general and administrative		131,936	112,864	112,394
Depreciation and amortization		154,034	140,223	137,535
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		5,190	9,957	12,072
Gain on sale of investment		0	0
Total costs and expenses		1,141,225	1,059,667	1,027,392
Operating income (loss)		229,195	208,533	211,675
Interest expense, net		27,286	18,514	17,333
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			886	2,955
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		76,255	74,307	69,756
Income from investment in affiliates		(72,210)	2,517	(84,398)
Income before taxes		197,864	112,309	206,029
Provision for taxes		28,583	25,735	(8,724)
Net income		169,281	86,574	214,753
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		0	0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0
Total comprehensive income		169,281	86,574	214,753
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		(511,906)	(484,641)	(466,605)
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		(511,906)	(484,641)	(466,605)
Selling, general and administrative		0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization		0	0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		0	0	0
Gain on sale of investment		0	0
Total costs and expenses		(511,906)	(484,641)	(466,605)
Operating income (loss)		0	0	0
Interest expense, net		0	0	0
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	0
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		0	0	0
Income from investment in affiliates		361,031	145,540	460,078
Income before taxes		(361,031)	(145,540)	(460,078)
Provision for taxes		0	0	0
Net income		(361,031)	(145,540)	(460,078)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		11,536	(17,240)	14,849
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			(2,813)	(2,422)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		11,536	(20,053)	12,427
Total comprehensive income		(349,495)	(165,593)	(447,651)
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		96,986	103,687	104,080
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		2	0	0
Selling, general and administrative		3,189	2,301	3,007
Depreciation and amortization		0	0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		0	0	0
Gain on sale of investment		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		3,191	2,301	3,007
Operating income (loss)		93,795	101,386	101,073
Interest expense, net		26,356	23,339	23,739
Net effect of swaps		2,168	1,228	(150)
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	11,773
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		250	250	250
Income from investment in affiliates		(119,542)	(61,484)	(160,925)
Income before taxes		184,563	138,053	226,386
Provision for taxes		12,198	11,400	10,910
Net income		172,365	126,653	215,476
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			8,366	7,975
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,536)	25,606	(6,874)
Total comprehensive income		160,829	152,259	208,602
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		402,256	382,569	395,745
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		45,655	42,860	44,130
Selling, general and administrative		19,607	19,130	19,867
Depreciation and amortization		154,008	140,223	137,535
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		3,937	7,697	8,970
Gain on sale of investment		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		241,984	228,104	228,888
Operating income (loss)		160,272	154,465	166,857
Interest expense, net		(39,842)	(33,129)	(22,435)
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	0
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		76,255	74,307	69,756
Income from investment in affiliates		(72,210)	2,517	(84,398)
Income before taxes		196,069	110,770	203,934
Provision for taxes		26,788	24,196	(10,819)
Net income		169,281	86,574	214,753
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		0	0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0
Total comprehensive income		169,281	86,574	214,753
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		(639,660)	(594,360)	(583,391)
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		(639,660)	(594,360)	(583,391)
Selling, general and administrative		0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization		0	0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		0	0	0
Gain on sale of investment		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		(639,660)	(594,360)	(583,391)
Operating income (loss)		0	0	0
Interest expense, net		0	0	0
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	0
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		0	0	0
Income from investment in affiliates		361,031	145,540	460,078
Income before taxes		(361,031)	(145,540)	(460,078)
Provision for taxes		0	0	0
Net income		(361,031)	(145,540)	(460,078)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		11,536	(17,240)	14,849
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			(2,813)	(2,422)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		11,536	(20,053)	12,427
Total comprehensive income		(349,495)	(165,593)	(447,651)
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		369,633	336,778	317,496
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		363,392	328,709	313,654
Selling, general and administrative		74,670	67,582	67,872
Depreciation and amortization		33	33	33
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		0	0	0
Gain on sale of investment		(617)	(112)
Total costs and expenses		437,478	396,212	379,682
Operating income (loss)		(67,845)	(59,434)	(62,186)
Interest expense, net		20,833	18,331	18,837
Net effect of swaps		14,364	6,214	105
Loss on early debt extinguishment			187	8,188
Gain on foreign currency		(2)	51	(25)
Other expense (income)		(79,875)	(78,571)	(73,581)
Income from investment in affiliates		(138,997)	(62,244)	(176,698)
Income before taxes		115,832	56,598	160,988
Provision for taxes		(3,709)	(4,886)	60
Net income		119,541	61,484	160,928
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		0	0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			2,813	2,422
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		0	2,813	2,422
Total comprehensive income		119,541	64,297	163,350
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		369,633	336,778	317,496
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		363,392	328,709	313,654
Selling, general and administrative		74,670	67,582	67,872
Depreciation and amortization		33	33	33
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		0	0	0
Gain on sale of investment		(617)	(112)	(1,877)
Total costs and expenses		437,478	396,212	379,682
Operating income (loss)		(67,845)	(59,434)	(62,186)
Interest expense, net		20,833	18,331	18,837
Net effect of swaps		14,364	6,214	105
Loss on early debt extinguishment			187	8,188
Gain on foreign currency		(2)	51	(25)
Other expense (income)		(79,875)	(78,571)	(73,581)
Income from investment in affiliates		(138,997)	(62,244)	(176,698)
Income before taxes		115,832	56,598	160,988
Provision for taxes		(3,709)	(4,886)	60
Net income		119,541	61,484	160,928
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		0	0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			2,813	2,422
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		0	2,813	2,422
Total comprehensive income		119,541	64,297	163,350
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		149,792	124,506	127,929
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		54,063	47,551	44,990
Selling, general and administrative		12,457	10,586	10,497
Depreciation and amortization		16,389	15,273	15,654
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		(259)	221	656
Gain on sale of investment		0	0
Total costs and expenses		95,498	84,472	83,280
Operating income (loss)		54,294	40,034	44,649
Interest expense, net		23,856	23,988	24,839
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	205
Gain on foreign currency		(21,105)	36,203	(29,061)
Other expense (income)		3,899	4,196	3,460
Income from investment in affiliates		(30,282)	(24,329)	(38,057)
Income before taxes		77,926	(24)	83,263
Provision for taxes		5,717	2,494	(1,134)
Net income		72,209	(2,518)	84,397
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Total comprehensive income		60,673	14,722	69,548
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		149,792	124,506	127,929
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		54,063	47,551	44,990
Selling, general and administrative		12,457	10,586	10,497
Depreciation and amortization		16,389	15,273	15,654
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		(259)	221	656
Gain on sale of investment		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		95,498	84,472	83,280
Operating income (loss)		54,294	40,034	44,649
Interest expense, net		23,856	23,988	24,839
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			0	205
Gain on foreign currency		(21,105)	36,203	(29,061)
Other expense (income)		3,899	4,196	3,460
Income from investment in affiliates		(30,282)	(24,329)	(38,057)
Income before taxes		77,926	(24)	83,263
Provision for taxes		5,717	2,494	(1,134)
Net income		72,209	(2,518)	84,397
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		(11,536)	17,240	(14,849)
Total comprehensive income		60,673	14,722	69,548
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Millennium) | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		1,095,918	995,350	960,108
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses		818,748	759,590	738,719
Selling, general and administrative		112,329	93,734	92,527
Depreciation and amortization		26	0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net		1,253	2,260	3,102
Gain on sale of investment		0	0	0
Total costs and expenses		1,026,995	941,282	915,290
Operating income (loss)		68,923	54,068	44,818
Interest expense, net		67,128	51,643	39,768
Net effect of swaps		0	0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment			886	2,955
Gain on foreign currency		0	0	0
Other expense (income)		0	0	0
Income from investment in affiliates		0	0	0
Income before taxes		1,795	1,539	2,095
Provision for taxes		1,795	1,539	2,095
Net income		0	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation		0	0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity			0	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)		0	0	0
Total comprehensive income		0	0	0
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
Costs and expenses:
Gain on sale of investment				(1,877)
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
Costs and expenses:
Gain on sale of investment				0
Food, merchandise and games
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues		473,499	433,315	422,469
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		126,264	114,733	110,811
Food, merchandise and games | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		0	0	0
Food, merchandise and games | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		113,416	103,892	99,328
Food, merchandise and games | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Eliminations
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		0	0	0
Food, merchandise and games | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		0	0	0
Food, merchandise and games | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Guarantor Subsidiaries
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		18,777	18,194	18,386
Food, merchandise and games | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Eliminations
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		0	0	0
Food, merchandise and games | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		0	0	0
Food, merchandise and games | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		0	0	0
Food, merchandise and games | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375% | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		12,848	10,841	11,483
Food, merchandise and games | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		12,848	10,841	11,483
Food, merchandise and games | Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Millennium) | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes | Reportable Legal Entities | Subsidiary Issuer
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues		$ 94,639	$ 85,698	$ 80,942