CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,312	$ 629,208
Accounts receivable	41,772	29,523
Inventories	36,792	22,280
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	46,673	37,490
Deferred income taxes	99,727	44,973
Total current assets	362,276	763,474
Other assets:
Debt issuance costs	24,974	26,043
Restricted-use investment securities	1,052	1,218
Deposits and other assets	4,304	4,214
Total other assets	30,330	31,475
Property and equipment, at cost	1,669,883	1,635,190
Accumulated depreciation	(411,511)	(380,561)
Total property and equipment	1,258,372	1,254,629
Goodwill	630,248	630,248
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	372,969	376,565
Total assets	2,654,195	3,056,391
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	43,305	23,580
Accrued compensation, payroll taxes and benefits	19,308	35,949
Accrued insurance reserves	34,629	35,369
Accrued interest payable	12,871	2,359
Other accrued liabilities	28,879	25,663
Deferred income	91,653	52,703
Current portion of long-term debt	6,247	6,240
Total current liabilities	236,892	181,863
Long-term debt	1,397,694	1,398,966
Other long-term liabilities	75,206	76,398
Deferred income taxes	82,127	65,070
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	437,941	437,941
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value
Common stock, $0.025 par value,140,000,000 shares authorized; 48,192,283 and 53,818,762 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,205	1,345
Capital in excess of par value	830,394	904,713
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(383,311)	15,849
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(28,301)	(29,688)
Total Six Flags Entertainment Corporation stockholders' equity	419,987	892,219
Noncontrolling interests	4,348	3,934
Total equity	424,335	896,153
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,654,195	$ 3,056,391