Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	May 31, 2010 Maximum	Apr. 30, 2010 Predecessor	Sep. 30, 2009 Predecessor
Details of debtors reorganization items
Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise	$ (1,087,516,000)					$ (1,087,516,000)
Fresh start reporting adjustments						178,475,000
Costs and expenses directly related to the reorganization		7,479,000	2,168,000	2,455,000		89,568,000
Total reorganization items		7,479,000	2,168,000	2,455,000		(819,473,000)
Net cash paid for reorganization items, constituting professional fees and finance fees	1,660,376,000	30,371,000	1,788,000	17,452,000		62,325,000
Basis of Presentation
Ownership interest in joint venture (as a percent)			49.00%
Accounting for the Chapter 11 Filing
Former shareholders' ownership interest in SFI after emerging from bankruptcy (as a percent)					50.00%
Liabilities Subject to Compromise
Redemption value of PIERS reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise							275,400,000
Accrued and unpaid dividends of PIERS reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise							31,200,000
Liabilities reclassified from liabilities subject to compromise to current or long-term liabilities of Holdings, as appropriate						170,200,000
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities reclassified from liabilities subject to compromise to current or long-term liabilities of Holdings, as appropriate						70,000,000
Accrued interest reclassified from liabilities subject to compromise to current or long-term liabilities of Holdings, as appropriate						100,200,000
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents			495,000,000	150,000,000
Maximum remaining maturity period of highly liquid investments as of purchase date to be considered cash equivalents			3 months
Inventories
Valuation allowance for slow moving inventory			700,000	700,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Spare parts inventory for existing rides and attractions included in prepaid expenses and other current assets			23,000,000	22,400,000
Advertising Costs
Prepaid advertising			1,400,000	1,900,000
Advertising and promotions expense		54,100,000	61,500,000	62,500,000		15,200,000
Investment Securities
Restricted-use investment securities			$ 1,200,000	$ 500,000