CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 281,444	$ 231,427
Accounts receivable	133,240	18,461
Inventories	26,610	20,973
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	40,589	38,668
Total current assets	481,883	309,529
Other assets:
Debt issuance costs	11,312	13,026
Restricted-use investment securities	15,914	513
Deposits and other assets	4,344	10,477
Total other assets	31,570	24,016
Property and equipment, at cost	1,615,758	1,544,351
Accumulated depreciation	(350,214)	(252,514)
Total property and equipment	1,265,544	1,291,837
Goodwill	630,248	630,248
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	380,204	392,548
Total assets	2,789,449	2,648,178
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	26,771	23,823
Accrued compensation, payroll taxes and benefits	29,781	59,441
Accrued insurance reserves	37,178	34,128
Accrued interest payable	2,343	1,071
Other accrued liabilities	35,215	29,834
Deferred income	59,722	38,156
Current portion of long-term debt	13,418	35,296
Total current liabilities	204,428	221,749
Long-term debt	941,584	921,940
Other long-term liabilities	71,139	76,180
Deferred income taxes	222,242	220,734
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	456,362	440,427
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value
Common stock, $0.025 par value, 140,000,000 shares authorized; 54,109,185 and 54,641,885 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,352	1,366
Capital in excess of par value	908,161	832,112
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	22,914	(20,088)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(43,122)	(49,912)
Total Six Flags Entertainment Corporation stockholders' equity	889,305	763,478
Noncontrolling interests	4,389	3,670
Total equity	893,694	767,148
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,789,449	$ 2,648,178