Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers (Income Statement) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 23, 2018	Mar. 25, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 23, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 714,512	$ 663,703		$ 1,217,679	$ 1,098,746
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	58,475	53,891		105,932	94,912
Operating expenses	227,625	206,505		503,601	462,750
Selling, general and administrative	83,080	67,114		174,527	149,837
Depreciation and amortization	68,335	74,374		137,828	132,114
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,675	3,247		3,781	7,959
Gain on sale of investment	0	0		(617)	0
Total costs and expenses	439,190	405,131		925,052	847,572
Operating income	275,322	258,572		292,627	251,174
Interest (income) expense, net	27,160	20,934		70,693	61,752
Net effect of swaps	3,910	(1,217)		21,068	(5,751)
Loss on early debt extinguishment	0	0	$ 1,100	0	1,073	$ 23,100
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	5,608	(13,054)		(12,533)	12,024
Other (income) expense	(126)	(168)		313	(375)
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	0	0		0	0
Income before taxes	238,770	252,077		213,086	182,451
Provision for taxes	48,815	38,770		43,506	33,301
Net income	189,955	213,307		169,580	149,150
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		2,116			6,250
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	2,554	(3,160)		(5,128)	12,240
Total comprehensive income	192,509	210,147		164,452	161,390
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375%[Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	73,704	71,751		88,302	84,921
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	0	0		0	0
Operating expenses	0	0		2	0
Selling, general and administrative	1,131	185		2,756	1,870
Depreciation and amortization	0	0		0	0
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0	0		0	0
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	1,131	185		2,758	1,870
Operating income	72,573	71,566		85,544	83,051
Interest (income) expense, net	6,640	5,879		19,704	16,519
Net effect of swaps	20	265		3,137	(2,266)
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	63	63		186	186
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(129,774)	(153,756)		(116,919)	(89,426)
Income before taxes	195,624	219,115		179,436	158,038
Provision for taxes	5,668	5,808		9,855	8,888
Net income	189,956	213,307		169,581	149,150
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		2,116			6,250
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	2,554	(3,160)		(5,128)	12,240
Total comprehensive income	192,510	210,147		164,453	161,390
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375%[Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	659,928	613,094		1,130,613	1,023,713
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	51,263	46,871		94,743	84,708
Operating expenses	374,126	349,145		610,892	560,759
Selling, general and administrative	52,261	41,681		106,666	88,395
Depreciation and amortization	61,205	65,987		125,000	117,771
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,980	3,247		4,051	7,892
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	540,835	506,931		941,352	859,525
Operating income	119,093	106,163		189,261	164,188
Interest (income) expense, net	9,185	4,997		17,870	14,565
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					886
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	25,047	27,134		59,309	57,573
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(48,597)	(56,985)		(65,974)	(22,798)
Income before taxes	133,458	131,017		178,056	113,962
Provision for taxes	12,847	13,878		20,195	18,039
Net income	120,611	117,139		157,861	95,923
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0		0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	0	0		0	0
Total comprehensive income	120,611	117,139		157,861	95,923
2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375%[Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	(303,751)	(285,240)		(435,633)	(396,286)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	0	0		0	0
Operating expenses	(303,751)	(285,240)		(435,633)	(396,286)
Selling, general and administrative	0	0		0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0		0	0
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0	0		0	0
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	(303,751)	(285,240)		(435,633)	(396,286)
Operating income	0	0		0	0
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0		0	0
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	0	0		0	0
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	298,982	327,879		340,754	208,147
Income before taxes	(298,982)	(327,879)		(340,754)	(208,147)
Provision for taxes	0	0		0	0
Net income	(298,982)	(327,879)		(340,754)	(208,147)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,554)	5,276		5,128	(5,990)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		(728)			(2,085)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	(2,554)	4,548		5,128	(8,075)
Total comprehensive income	(301,536)	(323,331)		(335,626)	(216,222)
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	73,704	71,751		88,302	84,921
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	0	0		0	0
Operating expenses	0	0		2	0
Selling, general and administrative	1,131	185		2,756	1,870
Depreciation and amortization	0	0		0	0
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0	0		0	0
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	1,131	185		2,758	1,870
Operating income	72,573	71,566		85,544	83,051
Interest (income) expense, net	6,640	5,879		19,704	16,519
Net effect of swaps	20	265		3,137	(2,266)
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	63	63		186	186
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(129,774)	(153,756)		(116,919)	(89,426)
Income before taxes	195,624	219,115		179,436	158,038
Provision for taxes	5,668	5,808		9,855	8,888
Net income	189,956	213,307		169,581	149,150
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		2,116			6,250
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	2,554	(3,160)		(5,128)	12,240
Total comprehensive income	192,510	210,147		164,453	161,390
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	187,734	189,672		328,962	310,159
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	8,544	8,737		15,694	15,080
Operating expenses	10,002	12,276		29,979	32,137
Selling, general and administrative	7,044	7,103		15,388	14,823
Depreciation and amortization	61,192	65,987		124,987	117,771
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,613	2,825		2,891	6,024
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	88,395	96,928		188,939	185,835
Operating income	99,339	92,744		140,023	124,324
Interest (income) expense, net	(10,107)	(7,943)		(29,971)	(22,974)
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	25,047	27,134		59,309	57,573
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(48,597)	(56,985)		(65,974)	(22,798)
Income before taxes	132,996	130,538		176,659	112,523
Provision for taxes	12,385	13,399		18,798	16,600
Net income	120,611	117,139		157,861	95,923
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0		0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	0	0		0	0
Total comprehensive income	120,611	117,139		157,861	95,923
2027 and 2029 Senior Notes [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	(354,269)	(336,529)		(537,479)	(490,307)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	0	0		0	0
Operating expenses	(354,269)	(336,529)		(537,479)	(490,307)
Selling, general and administrative	0	0		0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0		0	0
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0	0		0	0
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	(354,269)	(336,529)		(537,479)	(490,307)
Operating income	0	0		0	0
Interest (income) expense, net	0	0		0	0
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	0	0		0	0
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	298,982	327,879		340,754	208,147
Income before taxes	(298,982)	(327,879)		(340,754)	(208,147)
Provision for taxes	0	0		0	0
Net income	(298,982)	(327,879)		(340,754)	(208,147)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,554)	5,276		5,128	(5,990)
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		(728)			(2,085)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	(2,554)	4,548		5,128	(8,075)
Total comprehensive income	(301,536)	(323,331)		(335,626)	(216,222)
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) [Member] | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375%[Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	198,065	182,833		309,161	275,214
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	(51)	0		0	0
Operating expenses	135,330	122,455		285,675	258,162
Selling, general and administrative	25,002	20,666		55,554	50,754
Depreciation and amortization	9	8		25	24
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0	0		0	0
Gain on sale of investment				(617)
Total costs and expenses	160,290	143,129		340,637	308,940
Operating income	37,775	39,704		(31,476)	(33,726)
Interest (income) expense, net	5,313	4,072		15,339	13,031
Net effect of swaps	3,890	(1,482)		17,931	(3,485)
Loss on early debt extinguishment					187
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	13	15		14	36
Other (income) expense	(26,185)	(28,849)		(62,156)	(61,404)
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(98,037)	(100,629)		(128,489)	(74,345)
Income before taxes	152,781	166,577		125,885	92,254
Provision for taxes	23,005	12,823		8,964	2,829
Net income	129,776	153,754		116,921	89,425
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0		0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		728			2,085
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	0	728		0	2,085
Total comprehensive income	129,776	154,482		116,921	91,510
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) [Member] | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	198,065	182,833		309,161	275,214
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	(51)	0		0	0
Operating expenses	135,330	122,455		285,675	258,162
Selling, general and administrative	25,002	20,666		55,554	50,754
Depreciation and amortization	9	8		25	24
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0	0		0	0
Gain on sale of investment				(617)
Total costs and expenses	160,290	143,129		340,637	308,940
Operating income	37,775	39,704		(31,476)	(33,726)
Interest (income) expense, net	5,313	4,072		15,339	13,031
Net effect of swaps	3,890	(1,482)		17,931	(3,485)
Loss on early debt extinguishment					187
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	13	15		14	36
Other (income) expense	(26,185)	(28,849)		(62,156)	(61,404)
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(98,037)	(100,629)		(128,489)	(74,345)
Income before taxes	152,781	166,577		125,885	92,254
Provision for taxes	23,005	12,823		8,964	2,829
Net income	129,776	153,754		116,921	89,425
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0		0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		728			2,085
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	0	728		0	2,085
Total comprehensive income	129,776	154,482		116,921	91,510
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) [Member] | 2024 U.S. fixed rate notes at 5.375%[Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	86,566	81,265		125,236	111,184
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	7,263	7,020		11,189	10,204
Operating expenses	21,920	20,145		42,665	40,115
Selling, general and administrative	4,686	4,582		9,551	8,818
Depreciation and amortization	7,121	8,379		12,803	14,319
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	(305)	0		(270)	67
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	40,685	40,126		75,938	73,523
Operating income	45,881	41,139		49,298	37,661
Interest (income) expense, net	6,022	5,986		17,780	17,637
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	5,595	(13,069)		(12,547)	11,988
Other (income) expense	949	1,484		2,974	3,270
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(22,574)	(16,509)		(29,372)	(21,578)
Income before taxes	55,889	63,247		70,463	26,344
Provision for taxes	7,295	6,261		4,492	3,545
Net income	48,594	56,986		65,971	22,799
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Total comprehensive income	51,148	51,710		60,843	28,789
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) [Member] | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	86,566	81,265		125,236	111,184
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	7,263	7,020		11,189	10,204
Operating expenses	21,920	20,145		42,665	40,115
Selling, general and administrative	4,686	4,582		9,551	8,818
Depreciation and amortization	7,121	8,379		12,803	14,319
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	(305)	0		(270)	67
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	40,685	40,126		75,938	73,523
Operating income	45,881	41,139		49,298	37,661
Interest (income) expense, net	6,022	5,986		17,780	17,637
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					0
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	5,595	(13,069)		(12,547)	11,988
Other (income) expense	949	1,484		2,974	3,270
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(22,574)	(16,509)		(29,372)	(21,578)
Income before taxes	55,889	63,247		70,463	26,344
Provision for taxes	7,295	6,261		4,492	3,545
Net income	48,594	56,986		65,971	22,799
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	2,554	(5,276)		(5,128)	5,990
Total comprehensive income	51,148	51,710		60,843	28,789
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Millennium) [Member] | 2027 and 2029 Senior Notes [Member] | Reportable Legal Entities [Member] | Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net revenues	522,712	474,711		903,497	807,575
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues	42,719	38,134		79,049	69,628
Operating expenses	414,642	388,158		682,759	622,643
Selling, general and administrative	45,217	34,578		91,278	73,572
Depreciation and amortization	13	0		13	0
(Gain) loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	367	422		1,160	1,868
Gain on sale of investment				0
Total costs and expenses	502,958	461,292		854,259	767,711
Operating income	19,754	13,419		49,238	39,864
Interest (income) expense, net	19,292	12,940		47,841	37,539
Net effect of swaps	0	0		0	0
Loss on early debt extinguishment					886
(Gain) loss on foreign currency	0	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	0	0		0	0
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	0	0		0	0
Income before taxes	462	479		1,397	1,439
Provision for taxes	462	479		1,397	1,439
Net income	0	0		0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0		0	0
Cash flow hedging derivative activity		0			0
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	0	0		0	0
Total comprehensive income	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0