Business Segments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 park	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 park	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business segment information by geographical areas
Number of parks owned or operated	18								18
Long-lived assets	$ 2,224,044				$ 2,261,442				$ 2,224,044	$ 2,261,442	$ 2,314,633
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
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes									203,925	211,612	3,879
Domestic
Business segment information by geographical areas
Long-lived assets	2,119,529				2,151,771				2,119,529	2,151,771	2,209,597
Revenues									989,509	956,732	904,453
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes									182,736	193,028	(14,478)
Foreign
Business segment information by geographical areas
Long-lived assets	104,515				109,671				104,515	109,671	105,036
Revenues									120,421	113,600	108,721
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes									$ 21,189	$ 18,584	$ 18,357
Mexico
Business segment information by geographical areas
Number of parks owned or operated	1								1
Canada
Business segment information by geographical areas
Number of parks owned or operated	1								1