Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Calculation of earnings per common share
Net (loss) income attributable to Six Flags Entertainment Corporation common stockholders	$ 13,315	$ 120,403	$ 47,361	$ (62,527)	$ 155,754	$ 253,025	$ 72,265	$ (115,109)	$ 118,552	$ 365,935		$ (22,660)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic:									96,940,000	107,684,000	[1]	110,150,000	[1]
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)									3,431,000	3,252,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)									100,371,000	110,936,000	[1]	110,150,000	[1]
Earnings per share - basic (usd per share)	$ 0.14	$ 1.27	$ 0.49	$ (0.61)	$ 1.46	$ 2.37	$ 0.67	$ (1.05)	$ 1.22	$ 3.40	[1]	$ (0.21)	[1]
Earnings per share - diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.13	$ 1.22	$ 0.47	$ (0.61)	$ 1.40	$ 2.23	$ 0.64	$ (1.05)	$ 1.18	$ 3.30	[1]	$ (0.21)	[1]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)									1,200,000	1,900,000		11,400,000

[1] All 2011 and 2012 share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect Holdings' two-for-one stock split in June 2013, as described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.