Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenues
Theme park admissions	$ 221,913	$ 215,762	$ 272,861	$ 273,843
Theme park food, merchandise and other	174,012	168,336	205,172	206,626
Sponsorship, licensing and other fees	22,706	19,220	35,996	33,652
Accommodations revenue	3,741	3,748	7,871	8,364
Total revenues	422,372	407,066	521,900	522,485
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	145,768	142,096	237,880	236,207
Selling, general and administrative (including stock-based compensation of ($3,315) and $6,250 in 2017 and 2016, respectively, and excluding depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	38,118	58,711	85,033	94,974
Costs of products sold	37,489	36,020	45,070	46,158
Depreciation	26,171	25,273	52,814	50,651
Amortization	651	651	1,299	1,301
Loss on disposal of assets	1,657	597	2,327	114
Interest expense	27,213	20,206	48,430	39,807
Interest income	(57)	(16)	(273)	(159)
Loss on debt extinguishment	37,109	2,377	37,109	2,377
Other (income) expense, net	568	(8)	(335)	691
Income before income taxes	107,685	121,159	12,546	50,364
Income tax expense	36,054	41,059	(1,537)	17,199
Net income	71,631	80,100	14,083	33,165
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(19,605)	(19,213)	(19,605)	(19,213)
Net income attributable to Six Flags Entertainment Corporation	$ 52,026	$ 60,887	$ (5,522)	$ 13,952
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — basic:	87,136	93,054	89,133	92,707
Weighted-average common shares outstanding — diluted:	88,832	95,412	89,133	94,953
Net income per average common share outstanding — basic:	$ 0.60	$ 0.65	$ (0.06)	$ 0.15
Net income per average common share outstanding — diluted:	0.59	0.64	(0.06)	0.15
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.64	$ 0.58	$ 1.28	$ 1.16