Condensed Consolidation Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 121,694		$ 176,383		$ 154,859		$ 190,671
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment (1)	(990)	[1]	(3,760)	[1]	(1,589)	[2]	(7,029)	[2]
Defined benefit retirement plan (2)	133	[3]	123	[3]	435	[4]	408	[4]
Change in cash flow hedging (3)	425	[5]	(519)	[5]	30	[6]	(997)	[6]
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(432)		(4,156)		(1,124)		(7,618)
Comprehensive income	121,262		172,227		153,735		183,053
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(19,212)		(19,083)		(38,425)		(38,165)
Comprehensive income attributable to Six Flags Entertainment Corporation	$ 102,050		$ 153,144		$ 115,310		$ 144,888

[1] Foreign currency translation adjustment is presented net of tax benefit of $0.6 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

[2] Foreign currency translation adjustment is presented net of tax benefit of $0.9 million and $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

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

[4] Defined benefit retirement plan is presented net of tax expense of $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

[5] Change in cash flow hedging is presented net of tax expense $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and net of tax benefit of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

[6] Change in cash flow hedging is presented net of nominal tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and net of tax benefit of $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.