Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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 segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments									1
Segment Reporting Information, Income (Loss) before Income Taxes [Abstract]
Theme park revenues	$ 154,188	$ 504,520	$ 363,701	$ 87,521	$ 143,919	$ 485,143	$ 374,912	$ 66,358	$ 1,109,930	$ 1,070,332	$ 1,013,174
Theme park cash expenses									(625,880)	(610,010)	(594,047)
Aggregate park EBITDA									484,050	460,322	419,127
Equity in income of investee - EBITDA									0	5,520	10,027
Corporate expenses									(40,449)	(44,838)	(41,911)
Stock-based compensation									(27,034)	(62,875)	(54,261)
Other (expense) income, net									(1,234)	(612)	(73)
Loss on disposal of assets									(8,579)	(8,105)	(7,615)
Gain on sale of investee									0	67,319	0
Loss on debt extinguishment									(789)	(587)	(46,520)
Restructure (recovery) costs, net									0	47	(25,086)
Reorganization items, net									180	(2,168)	(2,455)
Equity in loss of investee - depreciation and other expense									0	(7,742)	(13,138)
Depreciation and amortization									(128,075)	(148,045)	(168,999)
Interest expense									(75,044)	(47,444)	(66,214)
Interest income									899	820	997
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations									$ 203,925	$ 211,612	$ 3,879