Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition:

As disclosed within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, revenues are generated from sales of (1) admission to our amusement parks and water parks, (2) food, merchandise and games both inside and outside the parks, and (3) accommodations, extra-charge products, and other revenue sources. Admission revenues include amounts paid to gain admission into our parks, including parking fees. Revenues related to extra-charge products, including premium benefit offerings such as front-of-line products, and online transaction fees charged to customers are included in "Accommodations, extra-charge products and other".

The following table presents net revenues disaggregated by revenues generated within the parks and revenues generated from out-of-park operations less amounts remitted to outside parties under concessionaire arrangements, described below, for the periods presented:



	Three months ended						Nine months ended
(In thousands)	September 29, 2019			September 23, 2018			September 29, 2019			September 23, 2018
In-park revenues	$	658,645		$	611,999		$	1,114,240		$	1,005,133
Out-of-park revenues	76,347			70,129			140,452			126,306
Concessionaire remittance	(20,480		)	(18,425		)	(37,013		)	(32,693		)
Net revenues	$	714,512		$	663,703		$	1,217,679		$	1,098,746

Due to our highly seasonal operations, a substantial portion of our revenues are generated during an approximate 130- to 140-day operating season. Most revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spend at the properties. Revenues from multi-use products, including season-long products for admission, dining, beverage and other products, are recognized over the estimated number of uses expected for each type of product. The estimated number of uses is reviewed and may be updated periodically during the operating season prior to the ticket or product expiration, which generally occurs no later than the close of the operating season. The number of uses is estimated based on historical usage adjusted for expected usage. For any bundled products that include multiple performance obligations, revenue is allocated using the retail price of each distinct performance

obligation and any inherent discounts are allocated based on the gross margin and expected redemption of each performance obligation. We do not typically provide for refunds or returns.

In some instances, we arrange with outside parties ("concessionaires") to provide goods to guests, typically food and merchandise, and we act as an agent, resulting in net revenues recorded within the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. Concessionaire arrangement revenues are recognized over the operating season and are variable. Sponsorship revenues and marina revenues, which are classified as "Accommodations, extra-charge products and other," are recognized over the park operating season which represents the period in which the performance obligations are satisfied. Sponsorship revenues are typically fixed. However, some sponsorship revenues are variable based on achievement of specified operating metrics. We estimate variable revenues and perform a constraint analysis using both historical information and current trends to determine the amount of revenue that is not probable of a significant reversal.

Many products, including season-long products, are sold to customers in advance, resulting in a contract liability ("deferred revenue"). Deferred revenue is at its highest immediately prior to the peak summer season, and at its lowest in the fall after the peak summer season and at the beginning of the selling season for the next year's products. Season-long products represent the majority of the deferred revenue balance in any given period.

Of the $107.1 million of deferred revenue recorded as of January 1, 2019, 88% was related to season-long products. The remainder was related to deferred online transaction fees charged to customers, advanced ticket sales, marina deposits, advanced resort reservations, and other deferred revenue. During the nine months ended September 29, 2019, approximately $85.0 million of the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2019 was recognized. The remaining difference in the opening and closing balances of deferred revenue in the current period was attributable to additional season-long product sales during the first nine months of 2019.

Payment is due immediately on the transaction date for most products. Our receivable balance includes outstanding amounts on installment purchase plans which are offered for season-long products (and other select products for specific time periods), and includes sales to retailers, group sales and catering activities which are billed. Installment purchase plans vary in length from three monthly installments to twelve monthly installments. Payment terms for billings are typically net 30 days. Receivables are highest in the peak summer months and the lowest in the winter months. We are not exposed to a significant concentration of customer credit risk. As of September 29, 2019, December 31, 2018 and September 23, 2018, we recorded an $11.3 million, $2.6 million and $10.7 million allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively, representing estimated defaults on installment purchase plans. The default estimate is calculated using the historical default rate adjusted for current period trends. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a reduction of deferred revenue to the extent revenue has not been recognized on the corresponding season-long products.

Most deferred revenue from contracts with customers is classified as current within the balance sheet. However, a portion of deferred revenue from contracts with customers is classified as non-current during the third quarter related to season-long products sold in the current season for use in the subsequent season. Season-long products are sold beginning in August of the year preceding the operating season. Season-long products may be recognized 12 to 16 months after purchase depending on the date of sale. We estimate the number of uses expected outside of the next twelve months for each type of product and classify the related deferred revenue as non-current within "Other Liabilities" in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

With the exception of the non-current deferred revenue described above, our contracts with customers have an original duration of one year or less. For these short-term contracts, we use the practical expedient, a relief provided in the accounting standard to simplify compliance, applicable to such contracts and have not disclosed the transaction price for the remaining performance obligations as of the end of each reporting period or when we expect to recognize this revenue. Further, we have elected to recognize incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred as the amortization period of the asset would be less than one year. Lastly, we have elected not to adjust consideration for the effects of significant financing components of our installment purchase plans because the terms of these plans do not exceed one year.