Condensed Consolidation Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 80,100		$ 84,614		$ 33,165		$ 14,288
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(1,693)	[1]	(525)	[1]	(599)	[2]	(3,269)	[2]
Defined benefit retirement plan, net of tax	151	[3]	427	[3]	302	[4]	285	[4]
Change in cash flow hedging, net of tax	(3)	[5]	203	[5]	(395)	[6]	(478)	[6]
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(1,545)		105		(692)		(3,462)
Comprehensive income	78,555		84,719		32,473		10,826
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(19,213)		(19,082)		(19,213)		(19,082)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Six Flags Entertainment Corporation	$ 59,342		$ 65,637		$ 13,260		$ (8,256)

[1] Foreign currency translation adjustment is presented net of tax benefit of $0.9 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

[2] Foreign currency translation adjustment is presented net of tax benefit of $0.3 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

[3] Defined benefit retirement plan is presented net of tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

[4] Defined benefit retirement plan is presented net of tax expense of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

[5] Change in cash flow hedging is presented net of a nominal tax benefit for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and net of tax expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015.

[6] Change in cash flow hedging is presented net of tax benefit of $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.