Business Segments (Details 2) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) park	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) park	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Business segment information by geographical areas
Number of parks owned or operated | park	18												18
Long-lived assets	$ 2,184,830				$ 2,207,712				$ 2,224,044				$ 2,184,830	$ 2,207,712	$ 2,224,044
Revenues	217,457	$ 575,261	$ 386,065	$ 85,155	183,681	$ 541,843	$ 376,551	$ 73,718	154,188	$ 504,520	$ 363,701	$ 87,521	1,263,938	1,175,793	1,109,930
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations													263,224	160,011	203,925
Domestic
Business segment information by geographical areas
Long-lived assets	2,105,547				2,114,897				2,119,529				2,105,547	2,114,897	2,119,529
Revenues													1,144,917	1,058,025	989,509
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations													238,416	145,622	182,736
Foreign
Business segment information by geographical areas
Long-lived assets	$ 79,283				$ 92,815				$ 104,515				79,283	92,815	104,515
Revenues													119,021	117,768	120,421
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations													$ 24,808	$ 14,389	$ 21,189
Mexico
Business segment information by geographical areas
Number of parks owned or operated | park	1												1
Canada
Business segment information by geographical areas
Number of parks owned or operated | park	1												1