Six Flags Entertainment (FUN) 10-K 26 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CEDAR FAIR L P	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000811532	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	0	'
Entity Unit, Unit Outstanding	'	55,724,825	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$2,282,477,924

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	55,716,300		55,617,901
Current Assets:	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$118,056		$78,830
Receivables	21,333		18,192
Inventories	26,080		27,840
Current deferred tax asset	9,675		8,184
Other current assets	11,353		8,060
Total current assets	186,497		141,106
Property and Equipment:	'		'
Land	283,313		303,348
Land improvements	350,869		339,081
Buildings	584,659		584,854
Rides and equipment	1,494,112		1,450,231
Construction in progress	44,550		28,971
Total property and equipment, gross	2,757,503		2,706,485
Less accumulated depreciation	-1,251,740		-1,162,213
Total property and equipment, net	1,505,763		1,544,272
Goodwill	238,089		246,221
Other Intangibles, net	39,471		40,652
Other Assets	44,807		47,614
Assets	2,014,627		2,019,865
Current Liabilities:	'		'
Accounts payable	13,222		10,734
Deferred revenue	44,521		39,485
Accrued interest	23,201		15,512
Accrued taxes	19,481		17,813
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	29,200		24,836
Self-insurance reserves	23,653		23,906
Other accrued liabilities	5,521		5,916
Total current liabilities	158,799		138,202
Deferred Tax Liability	158,113		153,792
Derivative Liability	26,662		32,260
Other Liabilities	11,290		8,980
Long-Term Debt:	'		'
Revolving credit loans	0		0
Term debt	618,850		1,131,100
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	901,782		401,080
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,520,632		1,532,180
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)	'		'
Partners' Equity:	'		'
Special L.P. interests	5,290		5,290
General partner	2		1
Limited partners, 55,716 and 55,618 units outstanding at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	148,847		177,660
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-15,008	[1]	-28,500	[1]
Total partners' equity	139,131		154,451
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	$2,014,627		$2,019,865
[1]	All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net revenues:	'		'	'
Admissions	$647,007		$612,069	$596,042
Food, merchandise and games	356,105		342,214	349,436
Accommodations and other	131,460		114,171	82,994
Total net revenues	1,134,572		1,068,454	1,028,472
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	91,772		95,048	92,057
Operating expenses	472,344		451,403	430,851
Selling, general and administrative	152,412		138,311	140,426
Depreciation and amortization	122,487		126,306	125,837
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	2,539		30,336	11,355
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	-8,743		-6,625	0
Total costs and expenses	832,811		834,779	800,526
Operating income	301,761		233,675	227,946
Interest expense	103,071		110,619	157,185
Net effect of swaps	6,883		-1,492	-13,119
Loss on early debt extinguishment	34,573		0	0
Unrealized / realized foreign currency (gain) loss	28,941		-8,998	9,909
Other (income) expense	-154		-68	798
Income (loss) before taxes	128,447		133,614	73,173
Provision (benefit) for taxes	20,243		31,757	7,877
Net income (loss)	108,204		101,857	65,296
Net income allocated to general partner	1		1	1
Net income (loss) allocated to limited partners	108,203		101,856	65,295
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	2,756		369	933
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	10,736		139	3,767
Net current-period other comprehensive income	13,492	[1]	508	4,700
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$121,696		$102,365	$69,996
Basic earnings per limited partner unit:	'		'	'
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding	55,476		55,518	55,345
Net income (loss) per unit - basic	1.95		1.83	1.18
Diluted earnings per limited partner unit:	'		'	'
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding	55,825		55,895	55,886
Net income (loss) per limited partner unit	1.94		1.82	1.17
[1]	All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$108,204	$101,857	$65,296
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from (for) operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	122,487	126,306	125,837
Non-cash equity based compensation expense	6,391	4,476	-239
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	34,573	0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	2,539	30,336	11,355
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	-8,743	-6,625	0
Net effect of swaps	6,883	-1,492	-13,119
Amortization of debt issuance costs	6,130	10,417	10,000
Unrealized foreign currency (gain) loss on notes	27,786	-8,758	8,753
Deferred income taxes	3,348	27,502	677
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities	-855	-1,208	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
(Increase) decrease in receivables	-6,257	-10,543	4,516
(Increase) decrease in inventories	1,535	5,251	-1,045
(Increase) decrease in current assets	-317	3,923	-1,785
(Increase) decrease in other assets	-1,737	-2,739	173
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	174	170	-1,144
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	5,491	9,804	3,724
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	8,714	-587	-4,399
Increase (decrease) in accrued taxes	1,690	1,883	835
Increase (decrease) in accrued salaries and wages	4,440	-8,576	15,406
Increase (decrease) in self-insurance reserves	-136	2,625	-206
Increase in deferred revenue and other current liabilities	-386	-1,986	-561
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,503	3,897	-5,897
Net cash from operating activities	324,457	285,933	218,177
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	15,297	16,058	0
Capital expenditures	-120,448	-96,232	-90,190
Net cash from (for) investing activities	-105,151	-80,174	-90,190
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit	0	0	-23,200
Term debt borrowings	630,000	0	22,938
Note borrowings	500,000	0	0
Derivative settlement	0	-50,450	0
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	-1,142,250	-25,000	-23,900
Distributions paid to partners	-143,457	-88,813	-55,347
Payment of debt issuance costs	-23,532	0	-21,214
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	52	76	5
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	855	1,208	0
Net cash (for) financing activities	-178,332	-162,979	-100,718
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-1,748	526	-1,510
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	39,226	43,306	25,759
Balance, beginning of period	78,830	35,524	9,765
Balance, end of period	118,056	78,830	35,524
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION	'	'	'
Cash payments for interest expense	90,834	101,883	153,326
Interest capitalized	1,610	1,322	1,835
Cash payments for taxes, net of refunds	$14,822	$1,783	$6,135

Consolidated_Statements_of_Par

Consolidated Statements of Partners' Equity (USD $)	Total	Limited Partners [Member]	General Partner [Member]	Special L.P. Interests [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010	'	$150,047	($1)	'	'	($4,053)	($29,655)
Beginning balance, units at Dec. 31, 2010	'	55,334	'	'	'	'	'
Partnership distribution declared, per unit	$1	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Limited partnership unit options exercised, units	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Partners Capital Account Units Forfeited	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation	'	12	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	65,296	65,295	1	'	'	'	'
Partnership distribution declared (2013 - $2.58; 2012 - $1.60; 2011 - $1.00)	'	-55,347	'	'	'	'	'
Income recognized for limited partnership unit options	'	-239	'	'	'	'	'
Limited partnership unit options exercised, value	'	5	'	'	'	'	'
Tax effect of units involved in option exercises and treasury unit transactions	'	127	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation	'	180	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	245	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging derivatives, tax	5,508	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current year activity, net of tax ($1,745) in 2013, ($210) in 2012, $5,508 in 2011 at Dec. 31, 2011	3,767	'	'	'	'	'	3,767
Ending balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011	136,350	160,068	0	5,290	-29,008	-3,120	-25,888
Current year activity, net of tax ($1,586) in 2013, ($213) in 2012, $245 in 2011 at Dec. 31, 2011	933	'	'	'	'	933	'
Ending balance, units at Dec. 31, 2011	'	55,346	'	'	'	'	'
Partnership distribution declared, per unit	$1.60	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Limited partnership unit options exercised, units	'	16	'	'	'	'	'
Partners Capital Account Units Forfeited	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation	'	256	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	101,857	101,856	1	'	'	'	'
Partnership distribution declared (2013 - $2.58; 2012 - $1.60; 2011 - $1.00)	'	-88,813	'	'	'	'	'
Income recognized for limited partnership unit options	'	345	'	'	'	'	'
Limited partnership unit options exercised, value	'	76	'	'	'	'	'
Tax effect of units involved in option exercises and treasury unit transactions	'	1,208	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation	'	2,920	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	-213	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging derivatives, tax	-210	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current year activity, net of tax ($1,745) in 2013, ($210) in 2012, $5,508 in 2011 at Dec. 31, 2012	139	'	'	'	'	'	139
Ending balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012	154,451	177,660	1	5,290	-28,500	-2,751	-25,749
Current year activity, net of tax ($1,586) in 2013, ($213) in 2012, $245 in 2011 at Dec. 31, 2012	369	'	'	'	'	369	'
Ending balance, units at Dec. 31, 2012	'	55,618	'	'	'	'	'
Partnership distribution declared, per unit	$2.58	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Limited partnership unit options exercised, units	'	6	'	'	'	'	'
Partners Capital Account Units Forfeited	'	-1	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation	'	93	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	108,204	108,203	1	'	'	'	'
Partnership distribution declared (2013 - $2.58; 2012 - $1.60; 2011 - $1.00)	'	-143,457	'	'	'	'	'
Income recognized for limited partnership unit options	'	903	'	'	'	'	'
Limited partnership unit options exercised, value	'	52	'	'	'	'	'
Tax effect of units involved in option exercises and treasury unit transactions	'	855	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation	'	4,631	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax	-1,586	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging derivatives, tax	-1,745	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current year activity, net of tax ($1,745) in 2013, ($210) in 2012, $5,508 in 2011 at Dec. 31, 2013	10,736	'	'	'	'	'	10,736
Ending balance, value at Dec. 31, 2013	139,131	148,847	2	5,290	-15,008	5	-15,013
Current year activity, net of tax ($1,586) in 2013, ($213) in 2012, $245 in 2011 at Dec. 31, 2013	$2,756	'	'	'	'	$2,756	'
Ending balance, units at Dec. 31, 2013	'	55,716	'	'	'	'	'

Partnership_Organization

Partnership Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Partnership Organization	'
	Partnership Organization:
	Cedar Fair, L.P. (together with its affiliated companies, the "Partnership") is a Delaware limited partnership that commenced operations in 1983 when it acquired Cedar Point, Inc., and became a publicly traded partnership in 1987. The Partnership's general partner is Cedar Fair Management, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “General Partner”) whose shares are held by an Ohio trust. The General Partner owns a 0.001% interest in the Partnership's income, losses and cash distributions, except in defined circumstances, and has full responsibility for management of the Partnership. At December 31, 2013 there were 55,716,300 outstanding limited partnership units listed on The New York Stock Exchange, net of 1,345,683 units held in treasury. At December 31, 2012, there were 55,617,901 outstanding limited partnership units listed, net of 1,444,082 units held in treasury.
	The General Partner may, with the approval of a specified percentage of the limited partners, make additional capital contributions to the Partnership, but is only obligated to do so if the liabilities of the Partnership cannot otherwise be paid or there exists a negative balance in its capital account at the time of its withdrawal from the Partnership. The General Partner, in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement, is required to make regular cash distributions on a quarterly basis of all the Partnership's available cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement. In accordance with the Partnership agreement and restrictions within the Partnership's 2013 Credit Agreement, the General Partner paid $2.58 per limited partner unit in distributions, or approximately $143.5 million in aggregate, in 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
	The following policies are used by the Partnership in its preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
	Principles of Consolidation    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
	Foreign Currency    The financial statements of the Partnership's Canadian subsidiary are measured using the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current currency exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated at average monthly currency exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are included as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss in partners' equity.
	In 2013, the Partnership recognized a $28.9 million charge to earnings for unrealized/realized foreign currency losses, $29.1 million of which represented an unrealized foreign currency loss on the U.S.-dollar denominated debt held at its Canadian property. In 2012, the Partnership recognized a $9.0 million benefit to earnings for unrealized/realized foreign currency gains, $9.2 million of which represented an unrealized foreign currency gain on the U.S.-dollar denominated notes held at its Canadian property. All other transaction gains and losses included in the 2013, 2012 and 2011 consolidated statements of operations were not material.
	Segment Reporting Each of the Partnership's parks operates autonomously, and management reviews operating results, evaluates performance and makes operating decisions, including the allocation of resources, on a property-by-property basis. In addition to reviewing and evaluating performance of the business at the individual park level, the structure of the Partnership's management incentive compensation systems are centered around the operating results of each park as an integrated operating unit. Therefore, each park represents a separate operating segment of the Partnership's business. Although the Partnership manages its parks with a high degree of autonomy, each park offers and markets a similar collection of products and services to similar customers. In addition, the parks all have similar economic characteristics, in that they all show similar long-term growth trends in key industry metrics such as attendance, guest per capita spending, net revenue, operating costs and operating profit. Therefore, the Partnership operates within the single reportable segment of amusement/water parks with accompanying resort facilities.
	Estimates    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents     The Partnership considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Inventories    The Partnership's inventories primarily consist of purchased products, such as merchandise and food, for sale to its customers. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods of accounting at the park level.
	Property and Equipment    Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures made to maintain such assets in their original operating condition are expensed as incurred, and improvements and upgrades are generally capitalized. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation expense totaled $122.4 million in 2013, $126.3 million in 2012, and $125.8 million in 2011. As a result of the retirements of fixed assets at our parks in 2013, a total of $2.5 million was charged to earnings and was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. In 2012, a $25.0 million charge for the impairment of assets at Wildwater Kingdom was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income and is discussed in detail in Note 3. As a result of the sale of two non-core assets, $8.7 million and $6.6 million was recorded in "Gain on sale of other assets" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income during 2013 and 2012, respectively. As a result of a retirement of a ride at one of the parks in 2011, $8.8 million of net book value has been recorded in loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net.
	The estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
	Land improvements	Approximately		25 years
	Buildings	25 years	-	40 years
	Rides	Approximately		20 years
	Equipment	3 years	-	10 years
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets    Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment” requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss may be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, including disposition, are less than the carrying value of the asset. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets. Fair value is generally determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable, independent cash flows are available.
	Goodwill     FASB ASC 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” requires that goodwill be tested for impairment. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The fair value of a reporting unit and the related implied fair value of its respective goodwill are established using a combination of an income (discounted cash flow) approach and market approach. Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. All of the Partnership's goodwill is allocated to its reporting units and goodwill impairment tests are performed at the reporting unit level. The Partnership performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of December 31, 2013 and concluded there was no impairment of the carrying value of the goodwill.
	Other Intangible Assets    The Partnership's other intangible assets consist primarily of trade-names and license and franchise agreements. The Partnership assesses the indefinite-lived trade-names for impairment separately from goodwill. After considering the expected use of the trade-names and reviewing any legal, regulatory, contractual, obsolescence, demand, competitive or other economic factors that could limit the useful lives of the trade-names, in accordance with FASB ASC 350, the Partnership determined that the trade-names had indefinite lives. Pursuant to FASB ASC 350, indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized, but rather are reviewed, along with goodwill, annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Partnership's license and franchise agreements are amortized over the life of the agreement, generally ranging from five to twenty years.
	Self-Insurance Reserves     Reserves are recorded for the estimated amounts of guest and employee claims and expenses incurred each period that are not covered by insurance. Reserves are established for both identified claims and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. Such amounts are accrued for when claim amounts become probable and estimable. Reserves for identified claims are based upon the Partnership's own historical claims experience and third-party estimates of settlement costs. Reserves for IBNR claims, which are not material to our consolidated financial statements, are based upon the Partnership's own claims data history. All reserves are periodically reviewed for changes in facts and circumstances and adjustments are made as necessary. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the accrued reserves totaled $23.7 million and $23.9 million, respectively.
	Derivative Financial Instruments    The Partnership is exposed to market risks, primarily resulting from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. To manage these risks, it may enter into derivative transactions pursuant to its overall financial risk management program. The Partnership does not use them for trading purposes.
	The Partnership accounts for the use of derivative financial instruments according to FASB ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure of variability in short-term rates, designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is reported as a component of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For the ineffective portion of a derivative, the change in fair value, if any, is reported in “Net effect of swaps” in earnings together with the changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges. Derivative financial instruments used in hedging transactions are assessed both at inception and quarterly thereafter to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the related underlying exposures.
	Revenue Recognition    Revenues on multi-day admission tickets are recognized over the estimated number of visits expected for each type of ticket, and are adjusted periodically during the season. All other revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spending at the Partnership's facilities, or over the park operating season in the case of certain marina revenues and certain sponsorship revenues. Revenues on admission tickets for the next operating season, including season passes, are deferred in the year received and recognized as revenue in the following operating season.
	Admission revenues include amounts paid to gain admission into the Partnership's parks, including parking fees. Revenues related to extra-charge attractions, including our premium benefit offerings, are included in Accommodations and other revenue.
	Advertising Costs    The Partnership expenses all costs associated with its advertising, promotion and marketing programs over each park's operating season, including certain costs incurred prior to the season that are amortized over the season. Advertising expense totaled $57.8 million in 2013, $55.4 million in 2012 and $53.0 million in 2011. Certain prepaid costs incurred through year-end for the following year's advertising programs are included in other current assets.
	Unit-Based Compensation    The Partnership accounts for unit-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation” which requires measurement of compensation cost for all equity-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The Partnership uses a binomial option-pricing model for all grant date estimations of fair value.
	Income Taxes    The Partnership's legal structure includes both partnerships and corporate subsidiaries. As a publicly traded partnership, the Partnership is subject to an entity-level tax (the "PTP tax"). Accordingly, the Partnership itself is not subject to corporate income taxes; rather, the Partnership's tax attributes (except those of the corporate subsidiaries) are included in the tax returns of its partners. The Partnership's corporate subsidiaries are subject to entity-level income taxes.
	Neither the Partnership's financial reporting income, nor the cash distributions to unitholders, can be used as a substitute for the detailed tax calculations that the Partnership must perform annually for its partners. Net income from the Partnership is not treated as “passive income” for federal income tax purposes. As a result, partners subject to the passive activity loss rules are not permitted to offset income from the Partnership with passive losses from other sources.
	The Partnership's corporate subsidiaries account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future book and tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income at the time of enactment of such change in tax rates. Any interest or penalties due for payment of income taxes are included in the provision for income taxes. The Partnership's total provision for taxes includes PTP taxes owed (see Note 9).
	Earnings Per Unit    For purposes of calculating the basic and diluted earnings per limited partner unit, no adjustments have been made to the reported amounts of net income. The unit amounts used are as follows:
			2013		2012		2011
	(In thousands except per unit amounts)
	Basic weighted average units outstanding		55,476		55,518		55,345
	Effect of dilutive units:
	Unit options (Note 7)		162		43		—
	Phantom units (Note 7)		187		334		541
	Diluted weighted average units outstanding		55,825		55,895		55,886
	Net income per unit - basic		$	1.95	$	1.83	$	1.18
	Net income per unit - diluted		$	1.94	$	1.82	$	1.17
	Weighted average unit options of 5,300, 11,600, and 63,000 were excluded from the diluted earnings per unit calculation as they were anti-dilutive for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	Accounting pronouncements
	In January 2013, the FASB ASU 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” which clarifies that ordinary trade receivables and receivables are not in the scope of ASU 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Specifically, Update 2011-11 applies only to derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse purchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with specific criteria contained in the FASB Codification or subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The Partnership adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013 and it did not impact its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income - Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires an entity to present information about significant items reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") by component either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013 and it did not impact the Partnership's consolidated financial statements. The Partnership has elected to present movements out of Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") in an additional disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements (see Note 12 to the accompanying financial statements).
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date,” which requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the following:
	•	The amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors.
	•	Any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors.
	The guidance in this Update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as other information about those obligations. The amendments in the Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, however early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is in the process of determining the potential impact this guidance may have of on its consolidated financial statements.
	On July 17, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-10 "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)". The ASU amends ASC 815 to allow entities to use the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate, in addition to U.S. Treasury rates and LIBOR, as a benchmark interest rate in accounting for fair value and cash flow hedges in the United States. The ASU also eliminates the provision from ASC 815-20-25-6 that prohibits the use of different benchmark rates for similar hedges except in rare and justifiable circumstances. The ASU is effective prospectively for qualifying new hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013 (i.e., the ASU’s issuance date), and for hedging relationships redesignated on or after that date. The Partnership adopted this guidance in the third quarter and no material impact on its financial statements occurred.
	On July 18, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)". The ASU provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit ("UTB") when a net operating loss ("NOL") carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current U.S. GAAP. Under the ASU, an entity must present a UTB, or a portion of a UTB, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset ("DTA") for an NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except when:
	•	An NOL carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available as of the reporting date under the governing tax law to settle taxes that would result from the disallowance of the tax position.
	•	The entity does not intend to use the DTA for this purpose (provided that the tax law permits a choice).
	If either of these conditions exists, an entity should present a UTB in the financial statements as a liability and should not net the UTB with a DTA. New recurring disclosures are not required because the ASU does not affect the recognition or measurement of uncertain tax positions under ASC 740. The ASU’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim periods within those years. The Partnership does not anticipate this guidance having a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

LongLived_Assets

Long-Lived Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Impairment or Disposal of Tangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Lived Assets	'
	Long-Lived Assets:
	Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable, independent cash flows are available. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in equity price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	The long-lived asset impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step is a comparison of each asset group's carrying value to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets, including disposition. Projected future cash flows reflect management's best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period, including growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates and future estimates of capital expenditures. If the carrying value of the asset group is higher than its undiscounted future cash flows, there is an indication that impairment exists and the second step must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the asset group to its carrying value in a manner consistent with the highest and best use of those assets. The Partnership estimates fair value of operating assets using an income (discounted cash flows) approach, which uses an asset group's projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital reflective of current market conditions. If the implied fair value of the assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.
	Non-operating assets are evaluated for impairment based on changes in market conditions. When changes in market conditions are observed, impairment is estimated using a market-based approach. If the estimated fair value of the non-operating assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.
	There were no fixed assets that were impaired during 2013. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership concluded based on 2012 operating results through the third quarter and updated forecasts, that a review of the carrying value of operating long-lived assets at Wildwater Kingdom was warranted. After performing its review, the Partnership determined that a portion of the park's fixed assets were impaired. Also, at the end of the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership concluded that market conditions had changed on the adjacent non-operating land of Wildwater Kingdom. After performing its review of the updated market value of the land, the Partnership determined the land was impaired. The Partnership recognized a total of $25.0 million of non-operating and operating fixed-asset impairment during the third quarter of 2012 which was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
	Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including trade-names, are reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in equity price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
	The goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step is a comparison of each reporting unit's fair value to its carrying value. The Partnership estimates fair value using both an income (discounted cash flows) and market approach. The income approach uses a reporting unit's projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital that reflects current market conditions. The projection uses management's best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period including growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates, future estimates of capital expenditures and changes in future working capital requirements. A market approach estimates fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the reporting unit's operating performance. The multiples are derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics of the reporting units.
	If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than its fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist and the second step must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill to the carrying value of the goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the recorded goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.
	A relief-from-royalty model is used to determine whether the fair value of trade-names exceed their carrying amounts. The fair value of the trade-names is determined as the present value of fees avoided by owning the respective trade-name.
	A summary of changes in the Partnership's carrying value of goodwill is as follows:
						Accumulated
		Goodwill				Impairment				Goodwill
		(gross)				Losses				(net)
	($'s in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	323,358			$	(79,868	)		$	243,490
	Foreign currency exchange translation	2,731				—				2,731
	Balance at December 31, 2012	326,089				(79,868		)		246,221
	Foreign currency exchange translation	(8,132		)		—				(8,132		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	317,957			$	(79,868	)		$	238,089
	The Partnership's other intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Weighted
		Average			Gross								Net
		Amortization			Carrying				Accumulated				Carrying
		Period			Amount				Amortization				Value
		($'s in thousands)
	31-Dec-13
	Other intangible assets:
	Trade names	—			$	39,070			$	—			$	39,070
	License / franchise agreements	14.7 years			800				399				401
	Total other intangible assets	14.7 years			$	39,870			$	399			$	39,471
	31-Dec-12
	Other intangible assets:
	Trade names	—			$	40,222			$	—			$	40,222
	License / franchise agreements	14.3 years			790				360				430
	Total other intangible assets	14.3 years			$	41,012			$	360			$	40,652
	Amortization expense of other intangible assets for 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $39,000, $38,000, and $58,000, respectively. Amortization expense of other intangible assets held at December 31, 2013, is expected to total less than $50,000 in each of the years 2014-2018.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-Term Debt:
	Long-term debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	($'s in thousands)		2013			2012
	Revolving credit facility (due 2018)		$	—		$	—
	Term debt (1)
	March 2013 U.S. term loan averaging 3.25% at 2013 (due 2013-2020)		618,850			—
	February 2011 Amended U.S. term loan averaging 4.0% at 2011 (due 2011-2017)		—			1,131,100
	Notes
	March 2013 U.S. fixed rate note at 5.25% (due 2021)		500,000			—
	July 2010 U.S. fixed rate note at 9.125% (due 2018)		401,782			401,080
			1,520,632			1,532,180
	Less: current portion		—			—
			$	1,520,632		$	1,532,180
	-1	These average interest rates do not reflect the effect of interest rate swap agreements entered into on variable-rate term debt (see Note 6).
	In July 2010, the Partnership issued $405 million of 9.125% senior unsecured notes, maturing in 2018, in a private placement, including $5.6 million of original issue discount to yield 9.375%. Concurrently with this offering, the Partnership entered into a new $1,435.0 million credit agreement (the 2010 Credit Agreement), which included a $1,175.0 million senior secured term loan facility and a $260.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility.
	In February 2011, the Partnership amended its 2010 Credit Agreement (as so amended, the “Amended 2010 Credit Agreement”) to extend the maturity date of the U.S. term loan portion of the credit facilities by one year. The extended U.S. term loan was scheduled to mature in December 2017 and bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 300 bps, with a LIBOR floor of 100 bps.
	In March 2013, the Partnership issued $500 million of 5.25% senior unsecured notes, maturing in 2021, in a private placement. Concurrently with this offering, the Partnership entered into a new $885 million credit agreement (the "2013 Credit Agreement"), which included a $630 million senior secured term loan facility and a $255 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The Partnership has historically used LIBOR as its rate for borrowings. The terms of the senior secured term loan facility include a maturity date of March 6, 2020 and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 250 bps with a LIBOR floor of 75 bps. The term loan amortizes at $6.3 million annually. During the fourth quarter of 2013, $8.0 million of term debt was prepaid, resulting in no amortized amounts due until the first quarter of 2015. The net proceeds from the notes issued in March 2013 and borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the previous credit facilities. The facilities provided under the 2013 Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.
	Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada’s Wonderland Company ("Cedar Canada"), and Magnum Management Corporation ("Magnum") are the co-issuers of the notes and co-borrowers of the senior secured credit facilities. Both the notes and senior secured credit facilities have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by each 100% owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair (other than Cedar Canada and Magnum). There are no non-guarantor subsidiaries.
	Revolving Credit Loans    Terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement include a combined $255.0 million facility. Under the agreement, the Canadian portion of the revolving credit facility has a limit of $15.0 million. U.S. denominated and Canadian denominated loans made under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 225 basis points (bps). The revolving credit facility, which matures in March 2018, also provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. As of December 31, 2013, no borrowings under the revolving credit facility were outstanding and standby letters of credit totaled $16.3 million. After letters of credit, the Partnership had $238.7 million of available borrowings under its revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2013. The maximum outstanding balance during 2013 was $123.0 million under the revolving credit facility. The 2013 Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to pay a commitment fee of 38 bps per annum on the unused portion of the credit facilities.
	Term Debt    The credit facilities provided under the 2013 Credit Agreement include a $630.0 million U.S. term loan maturing in March 2020. As of December 31, 2013, the U.S. term loan bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 250 bps, with a LIBOR floor of 75 bps.
	At December 31, 2013, the scheduled annual maturities of term debt were as follows ($'s in thousands):
		2014			2015			2016		2017		2018		2019 and beyond		Total
	U.S. Term loan maturing in 2020	$	—		$	6,175		$	6,300	$	6,300	$	6,300	$	593,775	$	618,850
	The fair value of the term debt at December 31, 2013, was approximately $620.4 million, based on borrowing rates available as of that date to the Partnership on long-term debt with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of the outstanding debt at December 31, 2012, was approximately $1,117.1 million, based on borrowing rates available to the Partnership on long-term debt with similar terms and maturities at December 31, 2012.
	The Partnership may prepay some or all of its term debt maturing in 2020 without premium or penalty at any time.
	Notes    The notes issued by the Partnership in July 2010 require semi-annual interest payments in February and August, with the principal due in full on August 1, 2018. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to August 1, 2014 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed.
	The notes issued by the Partnership in March 2013 pay interest semi-annually in March and September, with the principal due in full on March 15, 2021. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to March 15, 2016 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. Prior to March 15, 2016, up to 35% of the notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at 105.25%.
	As market conditions warrant, the Partnership may from time to time repurchase debt securities issued by the Partnership, in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer, exchange offer or otherwise.
	The fair value of the notes at December 31, 2013, was approximately $933.2 million based on borrowing rates available to the Partnership as of that date on notes with similar terms and maturities. The fair value of the notes at December 31, 2012, was approximately $353.8 million, based on borrowing rates available to the Partnership as of that date on notes with similar terms and maturities.
	Covenants    The 2013 Amended Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to maintain specified financial ratios, which if breached for any reason could result in an event of default under the agreement. The most critical of these ratios is the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. As of December 31, 2013 this ratio is set at 6.25x Consolidated Total Debt (excluding the revolving debt)-to-Consolidated EBITDA. As of December 31, 2013, the Partnership’s Consolidated Total Debt (excluding revolving debt)-to-Consolidated EBITDA (as defined) ratio was 3.59x, providing $180.1 million of Consolidated EBITDA cushion on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Partnership was also in compliance with all other covenants as of December 31, 2013.
	The 2013 Amended Credit Agreement also includes provisions that allow the Partnership to make restricted payments of up to $60.0 million annually so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. These restricted payments are not subject to any specific covenants. Additional restricted payments are allowed to be made based on an Excess-Cash-Flow formula, should the Partnership’s pro-forma Consolidated Leverage Ratio be less than or equal to 5.00x Consolidated Total Debt-to-Consolidated EBITDA. Per the terms of the more restrictive indenture, the ability to make restricted payments is permitted should the Partnership's trailing-twelve-month Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio be less than or equal to 4.75x Consolidated Total Indebtedness (including average revolving debt)-to-Consolidated EBITDA, measured on a quarterly basis using trailing-twelve month data. As of December 31, 2013, Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio was 3.65x, providing $98.2 million of Consolidated Cash Flow cushion on the ratio.
	The Partnership's policy is to capitalize interest on major construction projects. In 2013, interest payments of $1.6 million were capitalized, as compared to interest of $1.3 million in 2012 and $1.8 million capitalized in 2011.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments:
	Derivative financial instruments are used within the Partnership’s overall risk management program to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks. By utilizing a derivative instrument to hedge our exposure to LIBOR rate changes, the Partnership is exposed to credit risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. To mitigate this risk, hedging instruments are placed with a counterparty that the Partnership believes poses minimal credit risk.
	The Partnership does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
	In September 2010, the Partnership entered into several forward-starting swap agreements ("September 2010 swaps") to effectively convert a total of $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. As a result of the February 2011 amendment to the 2010 Credit Agreement, the LIBOR floor on the term loan portion of its credit facilities decreased to 100 bps from 150 bps, causing a mismatch in critical terms of the September 2010 swaps and the underlying debt. Because of the mismatch of critical terms, the Partnership determined the September 2010 swaps, which were originally designated as cash flow hedges, were no longer highly effective, resulting in the de-designation of the swaps as of the end of February 2011. As a result of this ineffectiveness, gains of $7.2 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) through the date of de-designation are being amortized through December 2015.
	On March 15, 2011, the Partnership entered into several additional forward-starting basis-rate swap agreements ("March 2011 swaps") that, when combined with the September 2010 swaps, effectively converted $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. The September 2010 swaps and the March 2011 swaps, which were jointly designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fixed LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.46%. For the period that the September 2010 swaps were de-designated, their fair value decreased by $3.3 million, the offset of which was recognized as a direct charge to the Partnership's earnings and recorded to “Net effect of swaps” on the consolidated statement of operations along with the regular amortization of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” balances related to these swaps. No other ineffectiveness related to these swaps was recorded in any period presented.
	On May 2, 2011, the Partnership entered into four additional forward-starting interest-rate swap agreements ("May 2011 forward-starting swaps") that effectively converted another $200 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. These swaps, which were designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fixed LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.54%.
	As a result of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the previously described swaps were de-designated as the spreads of the 2013 Credit Agreement decreased to 75 bps from 100 bps in the Amended 2010 Credit Agreement. The May 2011 swaps remain de-designated as the amount of variable rate debt decreased to $630 million, resulting in no hedging relationship for these swaps. On March 4, 2013, the Partnership entered into several forward-starting swap agreements ("March 2013 swaps") that were not designated as a cash flow hedge on that date. On March 6, 2013, the March 2013 swaps were combined with the September 2010 swaps and the March 2011 swaps (together referred to as the "Combination Swaps"), and designated as cash flow hedges, effectively converting $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates. The Combination Swaps, which were designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fix LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.331%. At the time of the de-designation, the fair market value of the September 2010 swaps and March 2011 swaps was $22.2 million. Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) at the time of de-designation related to these swaps was $26.1 million. This amount is being amortized out of AOCI into expense in "Net effect of swaps" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income through December 2015. At the time of the de-designation, the fair market value of the May 2011 swaps was $7.8 million and was immediately recognized into expense in "Net effect of swaps" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. During the third quarter of 2013, the Combination Swaps were de-designated as the hedge effectiveness testing indicated that these swaps would be ineffective throughout the remaining periods until maturity. This de-designation had no effect on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
	During 2013, the Partnership entered into four forward-starting interest rate swap agreements that will effectively convert $500 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in December of 2015. These swaps, which were designated as cash flow hedges, mature on December 31, 2018 and fix LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.94%.
	The fair market value of our swap portfolio was a liability of $26.7 million and $32.3 million, at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and was recorded in “Derivative Liability” on the consolidated balance sheet.
	($'s in thousands):		Consolidated		Fair Value as of				Fair Value as of
			Balance Sheet Location		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-12
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps		Derivative Liability		$	(3,916	)		$	(32,260	)
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments:				(3,916		)		(32,260		)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps		Derivative Liability		(22,746		)		—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:				(22,746		)		—
	Net derivative liability				$	(26,662	)		$	(32,260	)
	The following table presents our interest rate swaps, along with their notional amounts and their fixed interest rates which compare to 30 day LIBOR of 0.17% at December 31, 2013.
		Interest Rate Swaps
	($'s in thousands)	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments							Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
		Notional Amounts				LIBOR Rate			Notional Amounts				LIBOR Rate
		$	200,000			3	%		$	200,000			2.27	%
		100,000				3	%		150,000				2.43	%
		100,000				3	%		75,000				2.3	%
		100,000				2.7	%		70,000				2.54	%
									50,000				2.54	%
									50,000				2.54	%
									50,000				2.43	%
									50,000				2.29	%
									50,000				2.29	%
									30,000				2.54	%
									25,000				2.3	%
	Total $'s / Average Rate	$	500,000			2.94	%		$	800,000			2.38	%
	Effects of Derivative Instruments on Income and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
	($'s in thousands):		Amount of Gain (Loss)								Amount and Location of (Loss)								Amount and Location of Gain  Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
			recognized in OCI  on								Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
			Derivatives								(Effective Portion)
			(Effective Portion)
			Year ended 12/31/13				Year ended 12/31/12						Year ended 12/31/13			Year ended 12/31/12				Year ended 12/31/13		Year ended 12/31/12
	Interest rate swaps		$	(1,650	)		$	140			Interest Expense		$	(2,797	)	$	(12,027	)	Net effect of swaps	$	3,703	$	—
		(In thousands):		Amount and Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
				in Income on Derivatives
		Derivatives not designated as Cash Flow
		Hedging Relationships				Year ended 12/31/13				Year ended 12/31/12
		Interest rate swaps		Net effect of swaps		$	3,547			$	—
		Cross-currency swaps		Net effect of swaps		—				(4,999		)
		Foreign currency swaps		Net effect of swaps		—				6,278
						$	3,547			$	1,279
	In addition to the $3.7 million gain recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivatives and $3.5 million gain on the derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges (as noted in the tables above), $6.3 million of expense representing the amortization of amounts in AOCI for the swaps and $7.8 million of expense related to the write off of OCI balances on our May 2011 swaps. The net effect of these amounts resulted in a charge to earnings for the year of $6.9 million recorded in “Net effect of swaps.”
	For 2012, in addition to the $1.3 million of gain recognized in income on the ineffective portion of both designated and not designated derivatives noted in the table above, $16.0 thousand of expense representing the amortization of amounts in AOCI for the swaps and a $0.2 million foreign currency gain during the year related to the U.S. dollar denominated Canadian term loan was recorded during the fiscal year in the consolidated statements of operations. The net effect of these amounts resulted in a benefit to earnings for the year of $1.5 million recorded in “Net effect of swaps.”

Partners_Equity

Partners' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Partners' Capital Notes [Abstract]	'
Partners' Equity	'
	Partners' Equity:
	Special L.P. Interests     In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, certain partners were allocated $5.3 million of 1987 and 1988 taxable income (without any related cash distributions) for which they received Special L.P. Interests. The Special L.P. Interests do not participate in cash distributions and have no voting rights. However, the holders of Special L.P. Interests will receive in the aggregate $5.3 million upon liquidation of the Partnership.
	Equity-Based Incentive Plans    The 2008 Omnibus Plan was approved by the Partnership's unitholders in May of 2008 allowing the award of up to 2.5 million unit options and other forms of equity as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors as an element of compensation to senior management and other key employees. The 2008 Omnibus Plan provides an opportunity for officers, directors, and eligible persons to acquire an interest in the growth and performance of our units and provides employees annual and long-term incentive awards as determined by the Board of Directors. Under the 2008 Omnibus Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may grant unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, performance awards, other unit awards, cash incentive awards and long-term incentive awards.
	Phantom Units
	During 2013, no “phantom units” were awarded. Outstanding phantom unit awards generally vest over an approximate four-year period and can be paid with cash, limited partnership units, or a combination of both, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The effect of outstanding “phantom units” has been included in the diluted earnings per unit calculation, as a portion of the awards are expected to be settled in limited partnership units. Approximately $5.0 million, $3.4 million and $5.4 million in compensation expense related to “phantom units” was recognized in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are included in “Selling, General and Administrative Expense” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
	At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had 191,607 “phantom units” outstanding, 164,008 of which were vested, at the December 31, 2013 closing price of $49.58 per unit. The aggregate market value of the “phantom units” vested at year-end has been reflected on the Balance Sheet with the current portion recorded in "Accrued salaries, wages and benefits" and the long-term portion recorded in “Other Liabilities.” At December 31, 2013, the current and long-term portions were $4.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the current and long-term portions were $0.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013, unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards totaled approximately $1.4 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.0 years.
	Performance Units
	During 2013, 78,111 “performance units” were awarded at a grant price of $36.95 per unit. The number of “performance units” issuable is contingently based upon certain performance targets over a three-year period. The current awards vest ratably over the term of the grant. Assuming targets are achieved, the "performance units" can be paid with cash, limited partnership units, or a combination of both as determined by the Compensation Committee, after the end of the performance period. The effect of outstanding “performance units” in which the performance conditions have not been met are excluded from the diluted earnings per unit calculation. Performance units in which the performance conditions have been met are included in diluted earnings per unit. Approximately $3.6 million, $3.4 million and $2.6 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were recorded in compensation expense related to “performance units” and are included in “Selling, General and Administrative Expense” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
	At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had 149,752 “performance units” outstanding, 72,761 of which were vested, at the December 31, 2013 closing price of $49.58 per unit. The estimated aggregate market value of the “performance units” contingently issuable at year-end has been reflected on the Balance Sheet, with the current portion being recorded in "Accrued salaries, wages and benefits" and the long-term portion in “Other Liabilities.” At December 31, 2013 the liability was all long-term and totaled $3.6 million. At December 31, 2012, the market value of the current and long-term portions were $3.8 million and $0.5 million. At December 31, 2013, unamortized compensation related to unvested “performance unit” awards totaled approximately $3.8 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.
	Restricted Units
	During 2013, restricted unit grants of 39,052 were awarded at a restricted grant price of $36.95. Compensation expense related to restricted units vest ratably over a three-year period and the restrictions on these units lapse at the end of the three-year period. During the time of restriction, the units accumulate distribution-equivalents, which, when the units are fully vested, will be paid in the form accrued. Approximately $2.6 million and $1.2 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, were recorded in compensation expense related to restricted units and are included in "Selling, General, and Administrative Expense" in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. As of December 31, 2013, the amount of distribution equivalents accrued and recorded on the Balance Sheet in "Other Liabilities" was approximately $0.7 million.
	At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had 227,999 restricted units outstanding, 115,290 of which were vested.
	The intrinsic value of restricted units for which expense was accrued in 2013 was approximately $1.2 million.
	At December 31, 2013, unamortized compensation expense related to unvested restricted unit awards totaled approximately, $3.8 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.
	Unit Options
	Options are issued with an exercise price no less than the market price of the Partnership's units on the day before the date of grant. Options granted in 2013 and 2012 vest ratably over a three-year period and have a maximum term of ten years. Options granted in prior years vest ratably over a five-year period, or when other conditions are met, and have a maximum term of ten years. As of December 31, 2013, the Partnership had 684,822 fixed-price options outstanding and no variable options under the Equity Incentive Plan.
	During 2013, 413,248 unit options were granted at a fair value of $3.47.  The significant assumptions used in the Black Scholes model to determine the fair value of these options include the stock option exercise price equal to the grant price, the options have a maximum term of ten years, the expected volatility is 30.1%, the assumed risk-free interest rate is 1.88% and the units receive an annual distribution of $2.50 per unit. During 2012, 280,672 unit options were granted at a fair value of $4.92.  The significant assumptions used to determine the fair value of these options include the stock option exercise price equals the grant price, the options have a maximum term of ten years, the expected volatility is 37.2%, the assumed risk-free interest rate is 2.31% and the units receive an annual distribution of $1.60 per unit. There were no unit options granted in 2011.
	Non-cash compensation expense relating to unit options in 2013 and 2012 totaled $0.9 million and $0.3 million No non-cash compensation expense relating to unit options was recognized in 2011.
	A summary of unit option activity in 2013 and 2012 is presented below:
				2013				2012
						Weighted Average				Weighted Average
				Unit Options		Exercise Price		Unit Options		Exercise Price
	Outstanding, beginning of year			294,022		$	29.45	224,500		$	24.4
	Granted			413,248		36.95		280,672		29.53
	Exercised			(16,278	)	28.36		(206,150	)	24.19
	Forfeited			(6,170	)	32.93		(5,000	)	23.81
	Outstanding, end of year			684,822		$	33.97	294,022		$	29.45
	Options exercisable, end of year			274,252		$	32.61	83,518		$	29.26
	Cash received from unit option exercises totaled approximately $52,000 in 2013, $76,000 in 2012 and $5,000 in 2011.
	The following table summarizes information about vested unit options outstanding at December 31, 2013:
	Vested Options Outstanding
	Type	Range of Exercise Prices						Unit Options			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price
	Outstanding at year-end	$	29.53		—	$	36.95	684,822			8.8 years	$	33.97
	Aggregate intrinsic value ($'s in thousands)							$	4,654
	A summary of the status of the Partnership's nonvested unit options at December 31, 2013 is presented below:
				Unit Options		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Nonvested, beginning of year			210,504		$	29.53
	Granted, net of forfeitures			409,837		36.95
	Vested			(204,084	)	33.67
	Exercised			(4,128	)	29.53
	Forfeited			(1,559	)	$	29.53
	Nonvested, end of year			410,570		$	34.88
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.0 million, respectively.
	The Partnership had 410,570 unvested unit options at December 31, 2013. In addition, the Partnership had $1.6 million of unamortized compensation expense related to unvested options which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
	The Partnership has a policy of issuing limited partnership units from treasury to satisfy option exercises and expects its treasury unit balance to be sufficient for 2014, based on estimates of option exercises for that period.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	Retirement Plans:
	The Partnership has trusteed, noncontributory retirement plans for the majority of its full-time employees. Contributions are discretionary and amounts accrued were approximately $4.4 million in 2013, $3.9 million in 2012 and $3.9 million in 2011. Additionally, the Partnership has a trusteed, contributory retirement plans for the majority of its full-time employees. This plan permits employees to contribute specified percentages of their salary, matched up to a limit by the Partnership. Matching contributions, net of forfeitures, approximated $1.9 million in 2013, $1.7 million in 2012 and $1.6 million in 2011.
	In addition, approximately 235 employees are covered by union-sponsored, multi-employer pension plans for which approximately $1.3 million, $1.3 million and $1.2 million were contributed for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The Partnership has no plans to withdraw from any of the multi-employer plans.  The Partnership believes that the liability resulting from any such withdrawal, as defined by the Multi-employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980, would not be material.

Income_and_Partnership_Taxes

Income and Partnership Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]	'
Income and Partnership Taxes	'
	Income and Partnership Taxes:
	Federal and state tax legislation in 1997 provided a permanent income tax exemption to existing publicly traded partnerships (PTP), such as Cedar Fair, L.P., with a PTP tax levied on partnership gross income (net revenues less cost of food, merchandise and games) beginning in 1998. In addition, income taxes are recognized for the amount of taxes payable by the Partnership's corporate subsidiaries for the current year and for the impact of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which represent future tax consequences of events that have been recognized differently in the financial statements than for tax purposes. As such, the Partnership's "Provision for taxes" includes amounts for both the PTP tax and for income taxes on the Partnership's corporate subsidiaries.
	The Partnership's 2013 tax provision totals $20.2 million, which consists of an $9.6 million provision for the PTP tax and a $10.6 million provision for income taxes. This compares to the Partnership's 2012 tax provision of $31.8 million, which consisted of a $8.7 million provision for the PTP tax and a $23.0 million provision for income taxes, and the 2011 tax provision of $7.9 million which consisted of a $8.3 million provision for the PTP tax and a $0.4 million benefit for income taxes. The calculation of the provision for taxes involves significant estimates and assumptions and actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Significant components of income (loss) before taxes are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Domestic	$	159,256		$	113,132		$	93,926
	Foreign	(30,809		)	20,482			(20,753		)
		$	128,447		$	133,614		$	73,173
	The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of the following:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes:
	Current federal	$	5,398		$	(1,081	)	$	399
	Current state and local	1,436			743			894
	Current foreign	412			(4,152		)	(2,381		)
	Total current	7,246			(4,490		)	(1,088		)
	Deferred federal, state and local	9,989			9,237			1,866
	Deferred foreign	(6,641		)	18,265			(1,189		)
	Total deferred	3,348			27,502			677
		$	10,594		$	23,012		$	(411	)
	The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the Partnership's corporate subsidiaries differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% to the Partnership's income (loss) before taxes.
	The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income tax provision based on the U.S. federal statutory tax rate	$	44,956		$	46,765		$	25,611
	Partnership income not includible in corporate income	(31,574		)	(21,273		)	(16,188		)
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2,459			3,486			1,674
	Valuation allowance	(4,460		)	(6,030		)	(10,460		)
	Tax credits	(1,303		)	(2,100		)	(1,791		)
	Nondeductible expenses and other	516			2,164			743
		$	10,594		$	23,012		$	(411	)
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.
	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Options and deferred compensation	$	11,086		$	7,741
	Accrued expenses	6,369			4,519
	Foreign tax credits	24,300			31,162
	Tax attribute carryforwards	8,566			10,948
	Derivatives	4,377			10,661
	Other	1,785			4,126
	Deferred tax assets	56,483			69,157
	Valuation allowance	(6,792		)	(11,253		)
	Net deferred tax assets	49,691			57,904
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property	(190,175		)	(190,976		)
	Intangibles	(7,569		)	(3,864		)
	Foreign currency translation	(385		)	(8,672		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(198,129		)	(203,512		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(148,438	)	$	(145,608	)
	The Partnership records a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Through December 31, 2012, the Partnership had recorded an $11.3 million valuation allowance related to a $31.2 million deferred tax asset for foreign tax credit carryforwards.  The need for this allowance was based on several factors including the ten-year carryforward period allowed for excess foreign tax credits, experience to date of foreign tax credit limitations, and management's long term estimates of domestic and foreign source income.
	During 2013, we reduced the valuation allowance recorded by $4.5 million related to $6.9 million of foreign tax credits utilized.  This compares to the reduction of the valuation allowance of $6.0 million and $10.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Further, we updated our long term estimates of domestic and foreign source income and believed based on these updated estimates no additional adjustments to the valuation allowance was warranted.  As of December 31, 2013, we had $24.3 million of deferred tax assets associated with the foreign tax credit carryforwards and a related $6.8 million valuation allowance.
	Additionally, as of December 31, 2013, the Partnership had $8.6 million of tax attribute carryforwards consisting of alternative minimum tax credits ($0.8 million), general business credits ($3.2 million) and the tax effect of state net operating loss carryforwards ($4.6 million). Alternative minimum tax credits do not expire. The general business credits will begin to expire in 2027. The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire from 2017 to 2027. The Partnership expects to fully realize these tax attribute carryforwards. As such, no valuation allowance has been recorded relating to these tax attribute carryforwards.
	The net current and non-current components of deferred taxes recognized as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012
	Net current deferred tax asset	$	9,675		$	8,184
	Net non-current deferred tax liability	(158,113		)	(153,792		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(148,438	)	$	(145,608	)
	The Partnership has recorded a deferred tax liability of $1.2 million and a deferred tax asset of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to account for the tax effect of derivatives and foreign currency translation adjustments included in Other Comprehensive Income.
	The Partnership has unrecognized income tax benefits as of December 31, 2013. The following is a reconciliation of beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits:
		($'s in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	1,100
	Increase from current year tax positions	—
	Increase from prior year's tax positions	—
	Decrease from settlements with taxing authority	—
Decrease from expiration of statute of limitations	—
Balance, end of year	$	1,100
At December 31, 2013 a total of $1.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits was recorded for state and local income tax positions, there were $1.1 million of unrecognized tax positions during 2012 and no unrecognized tax positions during 2011. If recognized, the tax benefits would decrease the Partnership taxes by $1.1 million.
The Partnership recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted, the Partnership accrued interest of $0.3 million and penalties of $0.2 million during 2013. The Partnership does not anticipate a significant change to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months.
The Partnership and its corporate subsidiaries are subject to taxation in the U.S., Canada and various state and local jurisdictions. The tax returns of the Partnership are subject to examination by state and federal tax authorities. With few exceptions, the Partnership and its corporate subsidiaries are no longer subject to examination by the major taxing authorities for tax years before 2009.

Operating_Lease_Commitments_an

Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies:
	Operating Lease Commitments
	The Partnership has commitments under various operating leases at its parks. Minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2013 are as follows ($'s in thousands):
	2014	$	9,565
	2015	9,046
	2016	8,531
	2017	8,051
	2018	7,613
	Thereafter	113,405
		$	156,211
	The amount due after 2018 includes the land lease at California's Great America which is renewable in 2039. Lease expense, which includes short-term rentals for equipment and machinery, for 2013, 2012 and 2011 totaled $12.7 million, $12.0 million and $9.7 million, respectively.
	Contingencies
	The Partnership is also a party to a number of lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, none of these matters are expected to have a material effect in the aggregate on the Partnership's financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements:
	The FASB's ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurement" emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions (inputs) that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable, and valuation techniques used to measure fair value should maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the FASB’s ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework that ranks the quality and reliability of information used to determine fair values. The hierarchy is associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring fair value and defines three levels of inputs to the fair value measurement process—quoted prices are the most reliable valuation inputs, whereas model values that include inputs based on unobservable data are the least reliable. Each fair value measurement must be assigned to a level corresponding to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
	The three broad levels of inputs defined by the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
	•	Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
	•	Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
	•	Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
	A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The table below presents the balances of liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 on a recurring basis:
	($'s in thousands)		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	31-Dec-13
	Interest rate swap agreements (1)		$	(3,916	)	$	—	$	(3,916	)	$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements (2)		(22,746		)	—		(22,746		)	—
	Total		$	(26,662	)	$	—	$	(26,662	)	$	—
	31-Dec-12
	Interest rate swap agreements (1)		$	(32,260	)	$	—	$	(32,260	)	$	—
	Total		$	(32,260	)	$	—	$	(32,260	)	$	—
	-1	Designated as hedging instruments and included in "Derivative Liability" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
	-2	Not designated as hedging instruments and included in "Derivative Liability" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are determined using significant inputs, including the LIBOR, that are considered Level 2 observable market inputs. In addition, the Partnership considered the effect of its credit and non-performance risk on the fair values provided, and recognized an adjustment decreasing the derivative liabilities by approximately $0.5 million as of December 31, 2013. The Partnership monitors the credit and non-performance risk associated with its derivative counter-parties and believes them to be insignificant and not warranting a credit adjustment at December 31, 2013.
	At the end of the third quarter in 2012, the Partnership concluded based on operating results, as well as updated forecasts, and changes in market conditions, that a review of the carrying value of long-lived assets at Wildwater Kingdom was warranted. After performing its review, the Partnership determined that a portion of the park's fixed assets were impaired. Based on Level 3 unobservable valuation assumptions and other market inputs, the assets were marked to a fair value of $19.8 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $25.0 million for operating and non-operating assets during the quarter.
	The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
	A relief-from-royalty model is used to determine whether the fair value of trade-names exceeds their carrying amount. The fair value of the trade-names is determined as the present value of fees avoided by owning the respective trade-name.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI"):
	The following tables reflect the changes in AOCI related to limited partners' equity for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013:
		Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (1)
	($'s in thousands)
			Unrealized income			Foreign currency
			on cash flow hedges			translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(25,749	)	$	(2,751	)	$	(28,500	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(1,246		)	2,756			1,510
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (2)		11,982			—			11,982
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		10,736			2,756			13,492
	31-Dec-13		$	(15,013	)	$	5		$	(15,008	)
	(1) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	(2) See Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income table below for reclassification details.
	Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1)
	($' in thousands)
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Interest rate swaps		$	14,132		Net effect of swaps
			$	14,132		Total before tax
			(2,150		)	Provision (benefit) for taxes
			$	11,982		Net of tax
	(1) Amounts in parentheses indicate gains.

Consolidating_Financial_Inform

Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers	'
	Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers:
	Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company ("Cedar Canada"), and Magnum Management Corporation ("Magnum") are the co-issuers of the Partnership's 9.125% and 5.25% notes (see Note 5). The notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by each 100% owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair (other than Cedar Canada and Magnum) that guarantees the Partnership's senior secured credit facilities. There are no non-guarantor subsidiaries.
	The following consolidating schedules present condensed financial information for Cedar Fair, L.P., Cedar Canada, and Magnum, the co-issuers, and each 100% owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair (other than Cedar Canada and Magnum), the guarantors (on a combined basis), as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the periods ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011. In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for the guarantor subsidiaries, the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements have been included.
	Since Cedar Fair, L.P., Cedar Canada and Magnum are co-issuers of the notes and co-borrowers under the 2013 Credit Agreement, all outstanding debt has been equally reflected within each co-issuer's December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 balance sheets in the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements.
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	ASSETS
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,000		$	4,144		$	35,575		$	3,337		$	—			$	118,056
	Receivables	6			115,972			67,829			552,633			(715,107		)		21,333
	Inventories	—			1,968			1,898			22,214			—				26,080
	Current deferred tax asset	—			5,430			800			3,445			—				9,675
	Other current assets	599			4,443			14,266			7,764			(15,719		)		11,353
		75,605			131,957			120,368			589,393			(730,826		)		186,497
	Property and Equipment, net	447,724			976			243,208			813,855			—				1,505,763
	Investment in Park	514,948			796,735			142,668			63,948			(1,518,299		)		—
	Goodwill	9,061			—			117,810			111,218			—				238,089
	Other Intangibles, net	—			—			16,683			22,788			—				39,471
	Deferred Tax Asset	—			31,122			—			117			(31,239		)		—
	Intercompany Receivable	873,067			1,063,568			1,104,629			—			(3,041,264		)		—
	Other Assets	25,210			10,002			6,657			2,938			—				44,807
		$	1,945,615		$	2,034,360		$	1,752,023		$	1,604,257		$	(5,321,628	)		$	2,014,627
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current Liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	259,850		$	188,818		$	17,632		$	262,029		$	(715,107	)		$	13,222
	Deferred revenue	—			—			2,815			41,706			—				44,521
	Accrued interest	4,637			3,223			15,341			—			—				23,201
	Accrued taxes	4,609			—			—			30,591			(15,719		)		19,481
	Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	—			21,596			1,101			6,503			—				29,200
	Self-insurance reserves	—			5,757			1,742			16,154			—				23,653
	Other accrued liabilities	1,146			2,993			181			1,201			—				5,521
		270,242			222,387			38,812			358,184			(730,826		)		158,799
	Deferred Tax Liability	—			—			57,704			131,648			(31,239		)		158,113
	Derivative Liability	15,610			11,052			—			—			—				26,662
	Other Liabilities	—			7,858			—			3,432			—				11,290
	Long-Term Debt:
	Term debt	618,850			618,850			618,850			—			(1,237,700		)		618,850
	Notes	901,782			901,782			901,782			—			(1,803,564		)		901,782
		1,520,632			1,520,632			1,520,632			—			(3,041,264		)		1,520,632
	Equity	139,131			272,431			134,875			1,110,993			(1,518,299		)		139,131
		$	1,945,615		$	2,034,360		$	1,752,023		$	1,604,257		$	(5,321,628	)		$	2,014,627
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	31-Dec-12
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	ASSETS
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,000		$	444		$	50,173		$	3,213		$	—			$	78,830
	Receivables	4			101,093			71,099			498,555			(652,559		)		18,192
	Inventories	—			1,724			2,352			23,764			—				27,840
	Current deferred tax asset	—			3,705			816			3,663			—				8,184
	Other current assets	563			17,858			530			5,490			(16,381		)		8,060
		25,567			124,824			124,970			534,685			(668,940		)		141,106
	Property and Equipment, net	439,506			1,013			268,157			835,596			—				1,544,272
	Investment in Park	485,136			772,183			115,401			53,790			(1,426,510		)		—
	Goodwill	9,061			—			125,942			111,218			—				246,221
	Other Intangibles, net	—			—			17,835			22,817			—				40,652
	Deferred Tax Asset	—			36,443			—			90			(36,533		)		—
	Intercompany Receivable	877,612			1,070,125			1,116,623			—			(3,064,360		)		—
Other Assets	22,048			14,832			8,419			2,315			—				47,614
	$	1,858,930		$	2,019,420		$	1,777,347		$	1,560,511		$	(5,196,343	)		$	2,019,865
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—
Accounts payable	147,264			213,279			16,101			286,649			(652,559		)		10,734
Deferred revenue	—			—			4,996			34,489			—				39,485
Accrued interest	98			64			15,350			—			—				15,512
Accrued taxes	4,518			—			6,239			23,437			(16,381		)		17,813
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	—			17,932			1,214			5,690			—				24,836
Self-insurance reserves	—			5,528			1,754			16,624			—				23,906
Other accrued liabilities	1,110			2,502			140			2,164			—				5,916
	152,990			239,305			45,794			369,053			(668,940		)		138,202
Deferred Tax Liability	—			—			63,460			126,865			(36,533		)		153,792
Derivative Liability	19,309			12,951			—			—			—				32,260
Other Liabilities	—			5,480			—			3,500			—				8,980
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	1,131,100			1,131,100			1,131,100			—			(2,262,200		)		1,131,100
Notes	401,080			401,080			401,080			—			(802,160		)		401,080
	1,532,180			1,532,180			1,532,180			—			(3,064,360		)		1,532,180
Equity	154,451			229,504			135,913			1,061,093			(1,426,510		)		154,451
	$	1,858,930		$	2,019,420		$	1,777,347		$	1,560,511		$	(5,196,343	)		$	2,019,865
CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(In thousands)
	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
Net revenues	$	152,469		$	296,077		$	127,692		$	1,006,469		$	(448,135	)		$	1,134,572
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	—			—			9,322			82,450			—				91,772
Operating expenses	6,003			183,604			47,770			683,102			(448,135		)		472,344
Selling, general and administrative	5,717			100,825			10,984			34,886			—				152,412
Depreciation and amortization	36,807			37			17,333			68,310			—				122,487
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	424			—			479			1,636			—				2,539
Gain on sale of other assets	—			—			—			(8,743		)	—				(8,743		)
	48,951			284,466			85,888			861,641			(448,135		)		832,811
Operating income	103,518			11,611			41,804			144,828			—				301,761
Interest expense, net	42,630			28,875			39,376			(7,964		)	—				102,917
Net effect of swaps	4,190			2,693			—			—			—				6,883
Loss on early debt extinguishment	21,175			12,781			617			—			—				34,573
Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss	—			—			28,941			—			—				28,941
Other (income) expense	750			(11,257		)	3,679			6,828			—				—
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(83,557		)	(37,520		)	(17,438		)	2,477			136,038				—
Income (loss) before taxes	118,330			16,039			(13,371		)	143,487			(136,038		)		128,447
Provision (benefit) for taxes	10,126			(12,133		)	(10,856		)	33,106			—				20,243
Net income (loss)	$	108,204		$	28,172		$	(2,515	)	$	110,381		$	(136,038	)		$	108,204
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	2,756			—			2,756			—			(2,756		)		2,756
Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives	10,736			2,848			—			—			(2,848		)		10,736
Other comprehensive income, (net of tax)	13,492			2,848			2,756			—			(5,604		)		13,492
Total Comprehensive Income	$	121,696		$	31,020		$	241		$	110,381		$	(141,642	)		$	121,696
CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(In thousands)
	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
Net revenues	$	145,715		$	258,136		$	140,418		$	927,668		$	(403,483	)		$	1,068,454
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	—			—			10,316			84,732			—				95,048
Operating expenses	5,380			176,356			47,863			625,287			(403,483		)		451,403
Selling, general and administrative	6,495			86,615			11,135			34,066			—				138,311
Depreciation and amortization	37,660			40			18,199			70,407			—				126,306
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	25,997			—			6			4,333			—				30,336
Gain on sale of other assets	(862		)	—			—			(5,763		)	—				(6,625		)
	74,670			263,011			87,519			813,062			(403,483		)		834,779
Operating income (loss)	71,045			(4,875		)	52,899			114,606			—				233,675
Interest expense, net	48,524			29,328			40,870			(8,171		)	—				110,551
Net effect of swaps	(138		)	121			(1,475		)	—			—				(1,492		)
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain	—			—			(8,998		)	—			—				(8,998		)
Other (income) expense	749			(9,507		)	2,020			6,738			—				—
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(90,022		)	(66,150		)	(14,597		)	(31,759		)	202,528				—
Income before taxes	111,932			41,333			35,079			147,798			(202,528		)		133,614
Provision (benefit) for taxes	10,075			(9,856		)	3,413			28,125			—				31,757
Net income	$	101,857		$	51,189		$	31,666		$	119,673		$	(202,528	)		$	101,857
Other comprehensive income, (net of tax):
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	369			—			369			—			(369		)		369
Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives	139			114			21			—			(135		)		139
Other comprehensive income, (net of tax)	508			114			390			—			(504		)		508
Total Comprehensive Income	$	102,365		$	51,303		$	32,056		$	119,673		$	(203,032	)		$	102,365
CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In thousands)
	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
Net revenues	$	141,149		$	251,064		$	126,972		$	901,120		$	(391,833	)		$	1,028,472
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	—			—			9,932			82,125			—				92,057
Operating expenses	5,491			165,409			45,765			606,019			(391,833		)		430,851
Selling, general and administrative	10,073			84,270			11,314			34,769			—				140,426
Depreciation and amortization	37,283			47			17,325			71,182			—				125,837
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	990			—			(61		)	10,426			—				11,355
	53,837			249,726			84,275			804,521			(391,833		)		800,526
Operating income	87,312			1,338			42,697			96,599			—				227,946
Interest expense, net	84,391			15,030			52,814			4,793			—				157,028
Net effect of swaps	(12,214		)	718			(1,623		)	—			—				(13,119		)
Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss	—			—			9,909			—			—				9,909
Other (income) expense	1,705			(7,798		)	2,349			4,699			—				955
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(60,251		)	(11,912		)	(6,945		)	15,573			63,535				—
Income (loss) before taxes	73,681			5,300			(13,807		)	71,534			(63,535		)		73,173
Provision (benefit) for taxes	8,385			(23,000		)	2,970			19,522			—				7,877
Net income (loss)	$	65,296		$	28,300		$	(16,777	)	$	52,012		$	(63,535	)		$	65,296
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	933			—			933			—			(933		)		933
Unrealized income (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	3,767			(9,499		)	291			—			9,208				3,767
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	4,700			(9,499		)	1,224			—			8,275				4,700
Total Comprehensive Income	$	69,996		$	18,801		$	(15,553	)	$	52,012		$	(55,260	)		$	69,996
CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
(In thousands)
	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	304,815		$	37,035		$	30,786		$	45,916		$	(94,095	)		$	324,457
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	(29,812		)	(24,552		)	(33,113		)	(6,618		)	94,095				—
Sale of other assets	—			—			—			15,297			—				15,297
Capital expenditures	(56,254		)	—			(9,723		)	(54,471		)	—				(120,448		)
Net cash for investing activities	(86,066		)	(24,552		)	(42,836		)	(45,792		)	94,095				(105,151		)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Term debt borrowings	359,022			256,500			14,478			—			—				630,000
Note borrowings	294,897			205,103			—			—			—				500,000
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	(661,180		)	(466,336		)	(14,734		)	—			—				(1,142,250		)
Distributions (paid) received	(146,953		)	3,496			—			—			—				(143,457		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(14,535		)	(8,453		)	(544		)	—			—				(23,532		)
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	—			52			—			—			—				52
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	—			855			—			—			—				855
Net cash (for) financing activities	(168,749		)	(8,783		)	(800		)	—			—				(178,332		)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	—			—			(1,748		)	—			—				(1,748		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net increase (decrease) for the year	50,000			3,700			(14,598		)	124			—				39,226
Balance, beginning of year	25,000			444			50,173			3,213			—				78,830
Balance, end of year	$	75,000		$	4,144		$	35,575		$	3,337		$	—			$	118,056
CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
(In thousands)
	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations					Total
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	130,043		$	30,996		$	21,256		$	143,489		$	(39,851	)			$	285,933
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	30,855			(56,099		)	2,172			(16,779		)	39,851					—
Sale of other assets	1,173			—			—			14,885			—					16,058
Capital expenditures	(33,664		)	(8		)	(14,551		)	(48,009		)	—					(96,232		)
Net cash from (for) investing activities	(1,636		)	(56,107		)	(12,379		)	(49,903		)	39,851					(80,174		)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Derivative settlement	—			—			(50,450		)	—			—			—		(50,450		)
Intercompany (payments) receipts	—			93,845			—			(93,845		)	—					—
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	(14,468		)	(10,212		)	(320		)	—			—					(25,000		)
Distributions (paid) received	(88,939		)	126			—			—			—					(88,813		)
Capital (contribution) infusion	—			(60,000		)	60,000			—			—					—
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	—			76			—			—			—					76
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	—			1,208			—			—			—					1,208
Net cash from (for) financing activities	(103,407		)	25,043			9,230			(93,845		)	—					(162,979		)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	—			—			526			—			—					526
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net increase (decrease) for the year	25,000			(68		)	18,633			(259		)	—					43,306
Balance, beginning of year	—			512			31,540			3,472			—					35,524
Balance, end of year	$	25,000		$	444		$	50,173		$	3,213		$	—				$	78,830
CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
(In thousands)
	Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	141,935		$	(155,251	)	$	47,935		$	183,753		$	(195	)		$	218,177
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	(8,954		)	(13,523		)	(1,414		)	23,696			195				—
Capital expenditures	(41,851		)	—			(19,344		)	(28,995		)	—				(90,190		)
Net cash from (for) investing activities	(50,805		)	(13,523		)	(20,758		)	(5,299		)	195				(90,190		)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit loans	(23,200		)	—			—			—			—				(23,200		)
Term debt borrowings	13,246			9,357			335			—			—				22,938
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	—			176,343			—			(176,343		)	—				—
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	(13,831		)	(9,763		)	(306		)	—			—				(23,900		)
Distributions (paid) received	(55,562		)	215			—			—			—				(55,347		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(11,783		)	(8,332		)	(1,099		)	—			—				(21,214		)
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	—			5			—			—			—				5
Net cash from (for) financing activities	(91,130		)	167,825			(1,070		)	(176,343		)	—				(100,718		)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	—			—			(1,510		)	—			—				(1,510		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net increase (decrease) for the year	—			(949		)	24,597			2,111			—				25,759
Balance, beginning of year	—			1,461			6,943			1,361			—				9,765
Balance, end of year	$	—		$	512		$	31,540		$	3,472		$	—			$	35,524

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Principles of Consolidation    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Foreign Currency    The financial statements of the Partnership's Canadian subsidiary are measured using the Canadian dollar as its functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current currency exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated at average monthly currency exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are included as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss in partners' equity.
	In 2013, the Partnership recognized a $28.9 million charge to earnings for unrealized/realized foreign currency losses, $29.1 million of which represented an unrealized foreign currency loss on the U.S.-dollar denominated debt held at its Canadian property. In 2012, the Partnership recognized a $9.0 million benefit to earnings for unrealized/realized foreign currency gains, $9.2 million of which represented an unrealized foreign currency gain on the U.S.-dollar denominated notes held at its Canadian property. All other transaction gains and losses included in the 2013, 2012 and 2011 consolidated statements of operations were not material.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Segment Reporting Each of the Partnership's parks operates autonomously, and management reviews operating results, evaluates performance and makes operating decisions, including the allocation of resources, on a property-by-property basis. In addition to reviewing and evaluating performance of the business at the individual park level, the structure of the Partnership's management incentive compensation systems are centered around the operating results of each park as an integrated operating unit. Therefore, each park represents a separate operating segment of the Partnership's business. Although the Partnership manages its parks with a high degree of autonomy, each park offers and markets a similar collection of products and services to similar customers. In addition, the parks all have similar economic characteristics, in that they all show similar long-term growth trends in key industry metrics such as attendance, guest per capita spending, net revenue, operating costs and operating profit. Therefore, the Partnership operates within the single reportable segment of amusement/water parks with accompanying resort facilities.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Estimates    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents     The Partnership considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Inventories    The Partnership's inventories primarily consist of purchased products, such as merchandise and food, for sale to its customers. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods of accounting at the park level.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Property and Equipment    Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures made to maintain such assets in their original operating condition are expensed as incurred, and improvements and upgrades are generally capitalized. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation expense totaled $122.4 million in 2013, $126.3 million in 2012, and $125.8 million in 2011. As a result of the retirements of fixed assets at our parks in 2013, a total of $2.5 million was charged to earnings and was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net" on the consolidated statements of operations. In 2012, a $25.0 million charge for the impairment of assets at Wildwater Kingdom was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income and is discussed in detail in Note 3. As a result of the sale of two non-core assets, $8.7 million and $6.6 million was recorded in "Gain on sale of other assets" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income during 2013 and 2012, respectively. As a result of a retirement of a ride at one of the parks in 2011, $8.8 million of net book value has been recorded in loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net.
	The estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
	Land improvements	Approximately		25 years
	Buildings	25 years	-	40 years
	Rides	Approximately		20 years
	Equipment	3 years	-	10 years
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets    Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment” requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss may be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, including disposition, are less than the carrying value of the asset. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets. Fair value is generally determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable, independent cash flows are available.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill     FASB ASC 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other” requires that goodwill be tested for impairment. An impairment charge would be recognized for the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The fair value of a reporting unit and the related implied fair value of its respective goodwill are established using a combination of an income (discounted cash flow) approach and market approach. Goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. All of the Partnership's goodwill is allocated to its reporting units and goodwill impairment tests are performed at the reporting unit level. The Partnership performed its annual goodwill impairment tests as of December 31, 2013 and concluded there was no impairment of the carrying value of the goodwill.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Other Intangible Assets    The Partnership's other intangible assets consist primarily of trade-names and license and franchise agreements. The Partnership assesses the indefinite-lived trade-names for impairment separately from goodwill. After considering the expected use of the trade-names and reviewing any legal, regulatory, contractual, obsolescence, demand, competitive or other economic factors that could limit the useful lives of the trade-names, in accordance with FASB ASC 350, the Partnership determined that the trade-names had indefinite lives. Pursuant to FASB ASC 350, indefinite-lived intangible assets are no longer amortized, but rather are reviewed, along with goodwill, annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Partnership's license and franchise agreements are amortized over the life of the agreement, generally ranging from five to twenty years.
Self Insurance Reserves [Policy Text Block]	'
	Self-Insurance Reserves     Reserves are recorded for the estimated amounts of guest and employee claims and expenses incurred each period that are not covered by insurance. Reserves are established for both identified claims and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. Such amounts are accrued for when claim amounts become probable and estimable. Reserves for identified claims are based upon the Partnership's own historical claims experience and third-party estimates of settlement costs. Reserves for IBNR claims, which are not material to our consolidated financial statements, are based upon the Partnership's own claims data history. All reserves are periodically reviewed for changes in facts and circumstances and adjustments are made as necessary. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the accrued reserves totaled $23.7 million and $23.9 million, respectively.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments    The Partnership is exposed to market risks, primarily resulting from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. To manage these risks, it may enter into derivative transactions pursuant to its overall financial risk management program. The Partnership does not use them for trading purposes.
	The Partnership accounts for the use of derivative financial instruments according to FASB ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”. For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure of variability in short-term rates, designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is reported as a component of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For the ineffective portion of a derivative, the change in fair value, if any, is reported in “Net effect of swaps” in earnings together with the changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges. Derivative financial instruments used in hedging transactions are assessed both at inception and quarterly thereafter to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the related underlying exposures.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Revenue Recognition    Revenues on multi-day admission tickets are recognized over the estimated number of visits expected for each type of ticket, and are adjusted periodically during the season. All other revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spending at the Partnership's facilities, or over the park operating season in the case of certain marina revenues and certain sponsorship revenues. Revenues on admission tickets for the next operating season, including season passes, are deferred in the year received and recognized as revenue in the following operating season.
	Admission revenues include amounts paid to gain admission into the Partnership's parks, including parking fees. Revenues related to extra-charge attractions, including our premium benefit offerings, are included in Accommodations and other revenue.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Advertising Costs    The Partnership expenses all costs associated with its advertising, promotion and marketing programs over each park's operating season, including certain costs incurred prior to the season that are amortized over the season. Advertising expense totaled $57.8 million in 2013, $55.4 million in 2012 and $53.0 million in 2011. Certain prepaid costs incurred through year-end for the following year's advertising programs are included in other current assets.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Unit-Based Compensation    The Partnership accounts for unit-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation” which requires measurement of compensation cost for all equity-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The Partnership uses a binomial option-pricing model for all grant date estimations of fair value.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes    The Partnership's legal structure includes both partnerships and corporate subsidiaries. As a publicly traded partnership, the Partnership is subject to an entity-level tax (the "PTP tax"). Accordingly, the Partnership itself is not subject to corporate income taxes; rather, the Partnership's tax attributes (except those of the corporate subsidiaries) are included in the tax returns of its partners. The Partnership's corporate subsidiaries are subject to entity-level income taxes.
	Neither the Partnership's financial reporting income, nor the cash distributions to unitholders, can be used as a substitute for the detailed tax calculations that the Partnership must perform annually for its partners. Net income from the Partnership is not treated as “passive income” for federal income tax purposes. As a result, partners subject to the passive activity loss rules are not permitted to offset income from the Partnership with passive losses from other sources.
	The Partnership's corporate subsidiaries account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future book and tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income at the time of enactment of such change in tax rates. Any interest or penalties due for payment of income taxes are included in the provision for income taxes. The Partnership's total provision for taxes includes PTP taxes owed (see Note 9).
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Earnings Per Unit    For purposes of calculating the basic and diluted earnings per limited partner unit, no adjustments have been made to the reported amounts of net income. The unit amounts used are as follows:
			2013		2012		2011
	(In thousands except per unit amounts)
	Basic weighted average units outstanding		55,476		55,518		55,345
	Effect of dilutive units:
	Unit options (Note 7)		162		43		—
	Phantom units (Note 7)		187		334		541
	Diluted weighted average units outstanding		55,825		55,895		55,886
	Net income per unit - basic		$	1.95	$	1.83	$	1.18
	Net income per unit - diluted		$	1.94	$	1.82	$	1.17
	Weighted average unit options of 5,300, 11,600, and 63,000 were excluded from the diluted earnings per unit calculation as they were anti-dilutive for 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment. Weighted Average Useful Lives	'
	The estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
	Land improvements	Approximately		25 years
	Buildings	25 years	-	40 years
	Rides	Approximately		20 years
	Equipment	3 years	-	10 years
Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Units	'
	For purposes of calculating the basic and diluted earnings per limited partner unit, no adjustments have been made to the reported amounts of net income. The unit amounts used are as follows:
			2013		2012		2011
	(In thousands except per unit amounts)
	Basic weighted average units outstanding		55,476		55,518		55,345
	Effect of dilutive units:
	Unit options (Note 7)		162		43		—
	Phantom units (Note 7)		187		334		541
	Diluted weighted average units outstanding		55,825		55,895		55,886
	Net income per unit - basic		$	1.95	$	1.83	$	1.18
	Net income per unit - diluted		$	1.94	$	1.82	$	1.17

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of changes in Partnership's carrying value of goodwill	'
	A summary of changes in the Partnership's carrying value of goodwill is as follows:
						Accumulated
		Goodwill				Impairment				Goodwill
		(gross)				Losses				(net)
	($'s in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	323,358			$	(79,868	)		$	243,490
	Foreign currency exchange translation	2,731				—				2,731
	Balance at December 31, 2012	326,089				(79,868		)		246,221
	Foreign currency exchange translation	(8,132		)		—				(8,132		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	317,957			$	(79,868	)		$	238,089
Partnership's other intangible assets	'
	The Partnership's other intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		Weighted
		Average			Gross								Net
		Amortization			Carrying				Accumulated				Carrying
		Period			Amount				Amortization				Value
		($'s in thousands)
	31-Dec-13
	Other intangible assets:
	Trade names	—			$	39,070			$	—			$	39,070
	License / franchise agreements	14.7 years			800				399				401
	Total other intangible assets	14.7 years			$	39,870			$	399			$	39,471
	31-Dec-12
	Other intangible assets:
	Trade names	—			$	40,222			$	—			$	40,222
	License / franchise agreements	14.3 years			790				360				430
	Total other intangible assets	14.3 years			$	41,012			$	360			$	40,652

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	'
	Long-term debt at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	($'s in thousands)		2013			2012
	Revolving credit facility (due 2018)		$	—		$	—
	Term debt (1)
	March 2013 U.S. term loan averaging 3.25% at 2013 (due 2013-2020)		618,850			—
	February 2011 Amended U.S. term loan averaging 4.0% at 2011 (due 2011-2017)		—			1,131,100
	Notes
	March 2013 U.S. fixed rate note at 5.25% (due 2021)		500,000			—
	July 2010 U.S. fixed rate note at 9.125% (due 2018)		401,782			401,080
			1,520,632			1,532,180
	Less: current portion		—			—
			$	1,520,632		$	1,532,180
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	'
	At December 31, 2013, the scheduled annual maturities of term debt were as follows ($'s in thousands):
		2014			2015			2016		2017		2018		2019 and beyond		Total
	U.S. Term loan maturing in 2020	$	—		$	6,175		$	6,300	$	6,300	$	6,300	$	593,775	$	618,850

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Fair value of derivative instruments in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	'
	($'s in thousands):		Consolidated		Fair Value as of				Fair Value as of
			Balance Sheet Location		31-Dec-13				31-Dec-12
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps		Derivative Liability		$	(3,916	)		$	(32,260	)
	Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments:				(3,916		)		(32,260		)
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Interest rate swaps		Derivative Liability		(22,746		)		—
	Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:				(22,746		)		—
	Net derivative liability				$	(26,662	)		$	(32,260	)
Effects of derivative instruments on income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss)	'
	Effects of Derivative Instruments on Income and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
	($'s in thousands):		Amount of Gain (Loss)								Amount and Location of (Loss)								Amount and Location of Gain  Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)
			recognized in OCI  on								Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
			Derivatives								(Effective Portion)
			(Effective Portion)
			Year ended 12/31/13				Year ended 12/31/12						Year ended 12/31/13			Year ended 12/31/12				Year ended 12/31/13		Year ended 12/31/12
	Interest rate swaps		$	(1,650	)		$	140			Interest Expense		$	(2,797	)	$	(12,027	)	Net effect of swaps	$	3,703	$	—
		(In thousands):		Amount and Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
				in Income on Derivatives
		Derivatives not designated as Cash Flow
		Hedging Relationships				Year ended 12/31/13				Year ended 12/31/12
		Interest rate swaps		Net effect of swaps		$	3,547			$	—
		Cross-currency swaps		Net effect of swaps		—				(4,999		)
		Foreign currency swaps		Net effect of swaps		—				6,278
						$	3,547			$	1,279
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Derivative instruments, notional amounts outstanding and interest rates	'
	The following table presents our interest rate swaps, along with their notional amounts and their fixed interest rates which compare to 30 day LIBOR of 0.17% at December 31, 2013.
		Interest Rate Swaps
	($'s in thousands)	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments							Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
		Notional Amounts				LIBOR Rate			Notional Amounts				LIBOR Rate
		$	200,000			3	%		$	200,000			2.27	%
		100,000				3	%		150,000				2.43	%
		100,000				3	%		75,000				2.3	%
		100,000				2.7	%		70,000				2.54	%
									50,000				2.54	%
									50,000				2.54	%
									50,000				2.43	%
									50,000				2.29	%
									50,000				2.29	%
									30,000				2.54	%
									25,000				2.3	%
	Total $'s / Average Rate	$	500,000			2.94	%		$	800,000			2.38	%

Partners_Equity_Tables

Partners' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Partners' Capital Notes [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	'
	A summary of unit option activity in 2013 and 2012 is presented below:
				2013				2012
						Weighted Average				Weighted Average
				Unit Options		Exercise Price		Unit Options		Exercise Price
	Outstanding, beginning of year			294,022		$	29.45	224,500		$	24.4
	Granted			413,248		36.95		280,672		29.53
	Exercised			(16,278	)	28.36		(206,150	)	24.19
	Forfeited			(6,170	)	32.93		(5,000	)	23.81
	Outstanding, end of year			684,822		$	33.97	294,022		$	29.45
	Options exercisable, end of year			274,252		$	32.61	83,518		$	29.26
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes information about vested unit options outstanding at December 31, 2013:
	Vested Options Outstanding
	Type	Range of Exercise Prices						Unit Options			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price
	Outstanding at year-end	$	29.53		—	$	36.95	684,822			8.8 years	$	33.97
	Aggregate intrinsic value ($'s in thousands)							$	4,654
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of the status of the Partnership's nonvested unit options at December 31, 2013 is presented below:
				Unit Options		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	Nonvested, beginning of year			210,504		$	29.53
	Granted, net of forfeitures			409,837		36.95
	Vested			(204,084	)	33.67
	Exercised			(4,128	)	29.53
	Forfeited			(1,559	)	$	29.53
	Nonvested, end of year			410,570		$	34.88

Deferred_Tax_Assets_and_Liabil

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign	'
	Significant components of income (loss) before taxes are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Domestic	$	159,256		$	113,132		$	93,926
	Foreign	(30,809		)	20,482			(20,753		)
		$	128,447		$	133,614		$	73,173
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'
	The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of the following:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income taxes:
	Current federal	$	5,398		$	(1,081	)	$	399
	Current state and local	1,436			743			894
	Current foreign	412			(4,152		)	(2,381		)
	Total current	7,246			(4,490		)	(1,088		)
	Deferred federal, state and local	9,989			9,237			1,866
	Deferred foreign	(6,641		)	18,265			(1,189		)
	Total deferred	3,348			27,502			677
		$	10,594		$	23,012		$	(411	)
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Income tax provision based on the U.S. federal statutory tax rate	$	44,956		$	46,765		$	25,611
	Partnership income not includible in corporate income	(31,574		)	(21,273		)	(16,188		)
	State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2,459			3,486			1,674
	Valuation allowance	(4,460		)	(6,030		)	(10,460		)
	Tax credits	(1,303		)	(2,100		)	(1,791		)
	Nondeductible expenses and other	516			2,164			743
		$	10,594		$	23,012		$	(411	)
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Options and deferred compensation	$	11,086		$	7,741
	Accrued expenses	6,369			4,519
	Foreign tax credits	24,300			31,162
	Tax attribute carryforwards	8,566			10,948
	Derivatives	4,377			10,661
	Other	1,785			4,126
	Deferred tax assets	56,483			69,157
	Valuation allowance	(6,792		)	(11,253		)
	Net deferred tax assets	49,691			57,904
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property	(190,175		)	(190,976		)
	Intangibles	(7,569		)	(3,864		)
	Foreign currency translation	(385		)	(8,672		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(198,129		)	(203,512		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(148,438	)	$	(145,608	)
Schedule of Net Current and Noncurrent Components of Deferred Taxes	'
	The net current and non-current components of deferred taxes recognized as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
	($'s in thousands)	2013			2012
	Net current deferred tax asset	$	9,675		$	8,184
	Net non-current deferred tax liability	(158,113		)	(153,792		)
	Net deferred tax liability	$	(148,438	)	$	(145,608	)
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	'
	The following is a reconciliation of beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits:
		($'s in thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year	$	1,100
	Increase from current year tax positions	—
	Increase from prior year's tax positions	—
	Decrease from settlements with taxing authority	—
	Decrease from expiration of statute of limitations	—
	Balance, end of year	$	1,100

Operating_Lease_Commitments_an1

Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2013 are as follows ($'s in thousands):
	2014	$	9,565
	2015	9,046
	2016	8,531
	2017	8,051
	2018	7,613
	Thereafter	113,405
		$	156,211

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis	'
	The table below presents the balances of liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 on a recurring basis:
	($'s in thousands)		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	31-Dec-13
	Interest rate swap agreements (1)		$	(3,916	)	$	—	$	(3,916	)	$	—
	Interest rate swap agreements (2)		(22,746		)	—		(22,746		)	—
	Total		$	(26,662	)	$	—	$	(26,662	)	$	—
	31-Dec-12
	Interest rate swap agreements (1)		$	(32,260	)	$	—	$	(32,260	)	$	—
	Total		$	(32,260	)	$	—	$	(32,260	)	$	—
	-1	Designated as hedging instruments and included in "Derivative Liability" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
	-2	Not designated as hedging instruments and included in "Derivative Liability" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C1

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
		Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (1)
	($'s in thousands)
			Unrealized income			Foreign currency
			on cash flow hedges			translation adjustment			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(25,749	)	$	(2,751	)	$	(28,500	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		(1,246		)	2,756			1,510
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (2)		11,982			—			11,982
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		10,736			2,756			13,492
	31-Dec-13		$	(15,013	)	$	5		$	(15,008	)
	(1) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	(2) See Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income table below for reclassification details
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1)
	($' in thousands)
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components		Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
	Interest rate swaps		$	14,132		Net effect of swaps
			$	14,132		Total before tax
			(2,150		)	Provision (benefit) for taxes
			$	11,982		Net of tax

Consolidating_Financial_Inform1

Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	DECEMBER 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	ASSETS
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,000		$	4,144		$	35,575		$	3,337		$	—			$	118,056
	Receivables	6			115,972			67,829			552,633			(715,107		)		21,333
	Inventories	—			1,968			1,898			22,214			—				26,080
	Current deferred tax asset	—			5,430			800			3,445			—				9,675
	Other current assets	599			4,443			14,266			7,764			(15,719		)		11,353
		75,605			131,957			120,368			589,393			(730,826		)		186,497
	Property and Equipment, net	447,724			976			243,208			813,855			—				1,505,763
	Investment in Park	514,948			796,735			142,668			63,948			(1,518,299		)		—
	Goodwill	9,061			—			117,810			111,218			—				238,089
	Other Intangibles, net	—			—			16,683			22,788			—				39,471
	Deferred Tax Asset	—			31,122			—			117			(31,239		)		—
	Intercompany Receivable	873,067			1,063,568			1,104,629			—			(3,041,264		)		—
	Other Assets	25,210			10,002			6,657			2,938			—				44,807
		$	1,945,615		$	2,034,360		$	1,752,023		$	1,604,257		$	(5,321,628	)		$	2,014,627
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current Liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	259,850		$	188,818		$	17,632		$	262,029		$	(715,107	)		$	13,222
	Deferred revenue	—			—			2,815			41,706			—				44,521
	Accrued interest	4,637			3,223			15,341			—			—				23,201
	Accrued taxes	4,609			—			—			30,591			(15,719		)		19,481
	Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	—			21,596			1,101			6,503			—				29,200
	Self-insurance reserves	—			5,757			1,742			16,154			—				23,653
	Other accrued liabilities	1,146			2,993			181			1,201			—				5,521
		270,242			222,387			38,812			358,184			(730,826		)		158,799
	Deferred Tax Liability	—			—			57,704			131,648			(31,239		)		158,113
	Derivative Liability	15,610			11,052			—			—			—				26,662
	Other Liabilities	—			7,858			—			3,432			—				11,290
	Long-Term Debt:
	Term debt	618,850			618,850			618,850			—			(1,237,700		)		618,850
	Notes	901,782			901,782			901,782			—			(1,803,564		)		901,782
		1,520,632			1,520,632			1,520,632			—			(3,041,264		)		1,520,632
	Equity	139,131			272,431			134,875			1,110,993			(1,518,299		)		139,131
		$	1,945,615		$	2,034,360		$	1,752,023		$	1,604,257		$	(5,321,628	)		$	2,014,627
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	31-Dec-12
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	ASSETS
	Current Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	25,000		$	444		$	50,173		$	3,213		$	—			$	78,830
	Receivables	4			101,093			71,099			498,555			(652,559		)		18,192
	Inventories	—			1,724			2,352			23,764			—				27,840
	Current deferred tax asset	—			3,705			816			3,663			—				8,184
	Other current assets	563			17,858			530			5,490			(16,381		)		8,060
		25,567			124,824			124,970			534,685			(668,940		)		141,106
	Property and Equipment, net	439,506			1,013			268,157			835,596			—				1,544,272
	Investment in Park	485,136			772,183			115,401			53,790			(1,426,510		)		—
	Goodwill	9,061			—			125,942			111,218			—				246,221
	Other Intangibles, net	—			—			17,835			22,817			—				40,652
	Deferred Tax Asset	—			36,443			—			90			(36,533		)		—
	Intercompany Receivable	877,612			1,070,125			1,116,623			—			(3,064,360		)		—
	Other Assets	22,048			14,832			8,419			2,315			—				47,614
		$	1,858,930		$	2,019,420		$	1,777,347		$	1,560,511		$	(5,196,343	)		$	2,019,865
	LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
	Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—			$	—
Accounts payable	147,264			213,279			16,101			286,649			(652,559		)		10,734
Deferred revenue	—			—			4,996			34,489			—				39,485
Accrued interest	98			64			15,350			—			—				15,512
Accrued taxes	4,518			—			6,239			23,437			(16,381		)		17,813
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	—			17,932			1,214			5,690			—				24,836
Self-insurance reserves	—			5,528			1,754			16,624			—				23,906
Other accrued liabilities	1,110			2,502			140			2,164			—				5,916
	152,990			239,305			45,794			369,053			(668,940		)		138,202
Deferred Tax Liability	—			—			63,460			126,865			(36,533		)		153,792
Derivative Liability	19,309			12,951			—			—			—				32,260
Other Liabilities	—			5,480			—			3,500			—				8,980
Long-Term Debt:
Term debt	1,131,100			1,131,100			1,131,100			—			(2,262,200		)		1,131,100
Notes	401,080			401,080			401,080			—			(802,160		)		401,080
	1,532,180			1,532,180			1,532,180			—			(3,064,360		)		1,532,180
Equity	154,451			229,504			135,913			1,061,093			(1,426,510		)		154,451
	$	1,858,930		$	2,019,420		$	1,777,347		$	1,560,511		$	(5,196,343	)		$	2,019,865
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations	'
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	Net revenues	$	152,469		$	296,077		$	127,692		$	1,006,469		$	(448,135	)		$	1,134,572
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	—			—			9,322			82,450			—				91,772
	Operating expenses	6,003			183,604			47,770			683,102			(448,135		)		472,344
	Selling, general and administrative	5,717			100,825			10,984			34,886			—				152,412
	Depreciation and amortization	36,807			37			17,333			68,310			—				122,487
	Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	424			—			479			1,636			—				2,539
	Gain on sale of other assets	—			—			—			(8,743		)	—				(8,743		)
		48,951			284,466			85,888			861,641			(448,135		)		832,811
	Operating income	103,518			11,611			41,804			144,828			—				301,761
	Interest expense, net	42,630			28,875			39,376			(7,964		)	—				102,917
	Net effect of swaps	4,190			2,693			—			—			—				6,883
	Loss on early debt extinguishment	21,175			12,781			617			—			—				34,573
	Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss	—			—			28,941			—			—				28,941
	Other (income) expense	750			(11,257		)	3,679			6,828			—				—
	(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(83,557		)	(37,520		)	(17,438		)	2,477			136,038				—
	Income (loss) before taxes	118,330			16,039			(13,371		)	143,487			(136,038		)		128,447
	Provision (benefit) for taxes	10,126			(12,133		)	(10,856		)	33,106			—				20,243
	Net income (loss)	$	108,204		$	28,172		$	(2,515	)	$	110,381		$	(136,038	)		$	108,204
	Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	2,756			—			2,756			—			(2,756		)		2,756
	Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives	10,736			2,848			—			—			(2,848		)		10,736
	Other comprehensive income, (net of tax)	13,492			2,848			2,756			—			(5,604		)		13,492
	Total Comprehensive Income	$	121,696		$	31,020		$	241		$	110,381		$	(141,642	)		$	121,696
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	Net revenues	$	145,715		$	258,136		$	140,418		$	927,668		$	(403,483	)		$	1,068,454
	Costs and expenses:
	Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	—			—			10,316			84,732			—				95,048
	Operating expenses	5,380			176,356			47,863			625,287			(403,483		)		451,403
	Selling, general and administrative	6,495			86,615			11,135			34,066			—				138,311
	Depreciation and amortization	37,660			40			18,199			70,407			—				126,306
	Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	25,997			—			6			4,333			—				30,336
	Gain on sale of other assets	(862		)	—			—			(5,763		)	—				(6,625		)
		74,670			263,011			87,519			813,062			(403,483		)		834,779
	Operating income (loss)	71,045			(4,875		)	52,899			114,606			—				233,675
	Interest expense, net	48,524			29,328			40,870			(8,171		)	—				110,551
	Net effect of swaps	(138		)	121			(1,475		)	—			—				(1,492		)
	Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain	—			—			(8,998		)	—			—				(8,998		)
	Other (income) expense	749			(9,507		)	2,020			6,738			—				—
	(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(90,022		)	(66,150		)	(14,597		)	(31,759		)	202,528				—
	Income before taxes	111,932			41,333			35,079			147,798			(202,528		)		133,614
	Provision (benefit) for taxes	10,075			(9,856		)	3,413			28,125			—				31,757
	Net income	$	101,857		$	51,189		$	31,666		$	119,673		$	(202,528	)		$	101,857
	Other comprehensive income, (net of tax):
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	369			—			369			—			(369		)		369
	Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives	139			114			21			—			(135		)		139
	Other comprehensive income, (net of tax)	508			114			390			—			(504		)		508
	Total Comprehensive Income	$	102,365		$	51,303		$	32,056		$	119,673		$	(203,032	)		$	102,365
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	Net revenues	$	141,149		$	251,064		$	126,972		$	901,120		$	(391,833	)		$	1,028,472
Costs and expenses:
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	—			—			9,932			82,125			—				92,057
Operating expenses	5,491			165,409			45,765			606,019			(391,833		)		430,851
Selling, general and administrative	10,073			84,270			11,314			34,769			—				140,426
Depreciation and amortization	37,283			47			17,325			71,182			—				125,837
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	990			—			(61		)	10,426			—				11,355
	53,837			249,726			84,275			804,521			(391,833		)		800,526
Operating income	87,312			1,338			42,697			96,599			—				227,946
Interest expense, net	84,391			15,030			52,814			4,793			—				157,028
Net effect of swaps	(12,214		)	718			(1,623		)	—			—				(13,119		)
Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss	—			—			9,909			—			—				9,909
Other (income) expense	1,705			(7,798		)	2,349			4,699			—				955
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	(60,251		)	(11,912		)	(6,945		)	15,573			63,535				—
Income (loss) before taxes	73,681			5,300			(13,807		)	71,534			(63,535		)		73,173
Provision (benefit) for taxes	8,385			(23,000		)	2,970			19,522			—				7,877
Net income (loss)	$	65,296		$	28,300		$	(16,777	)	$	52,012		$	(63,535	)		$	65,296
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	933			—			933			—			(933		)		933
Unrealized income (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	3,767			(9,499		)	291			—			9,208				3,767
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)	4,700			(9,499		)	1,224			—			8,275				4,700
Total Comprehensive Income	$	69,996		$	18,801		$	(15,553	)	$	52,012		$	(55,260	)		$	69,996
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows	'
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	304,815		$	37,035		$	30,786		$	45,916		$	(94,095	)		$	324,457
	CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	(29,812		)	(24,552		)	(33,113		)	(6,618		)	94,095				—
	Sale of other assets	—			—			—			15,297			—				15,297
	Capital expenditures	(56,254		)	—			(9,723		)	(54,471		)	—				(120,448		)
	Net cash for investing activities	(86,066		)	(24,552		)	(42,836		)	(45,792		)	94,095				(105,151		)
	CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Term debt borrowings	359,022			256,500			14,478			—			—				630,000
	Note borrowings	294,897			205,103			—			—			—				500,000
	Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	(661,180		)	(466,336		)	(14,734		)	—			—				(1,142,250		)
	Distributions (paid) received	(146,953		)	3,496			—			—			—				(143,457		)
	Payment of debt issuance costs	(14,535		)	(8,453		)	(544		)	—			—				(23,532		)
	Exercise of limited partnership unit options	—			52			—			—			—				52
	Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	—			855			—			—			—				855
	Net cash (for) financing activities	(168,749		)	(8,783		)	(800		)	—			—				(178,332		)
	EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	—			—			(1,748		)	—			—				(1,748		)
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
	Net increase (decrease) for the year	50,000			3,700			(14,598		)	124			—				39,226
	Balance, beginning of year	25,000			444			50,173			3,213			—				78,830
	Balance, end of year	$	75,000		$	4,144		$	35,575		$	3,337		$	—			$	118,056
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations					Total
	NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	130,043		$	30,996		$	21,256		$	143,489		$	(39,851	)			$	285,933
	CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	30,855			(56,099		)	2,172			(16,779		)	39,851					—
	Sale of other assets	1,173			—			—			14,885			—					16,058
	Capital expenditures	(33,664		)	(8		)	(14,551		)	(48,009		)	—					(96,232		)
	Net cash from (for) investing activities	(1,636		)	(56,107		)	(12,379		)	(49,903		)	39,851					(80,174		)
	CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Derivative settlement	—			—			(50,450		)	—			—			—		(50,450		)
	Intercompany (payments) receipts	—			93,845			—			(93,845		)	—					—
	Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	(14,468		)	(10,212		)	(320		)	—			—					(25,000		)
	Distributions (paid) received	(88,939		)	126			—			—			—					(88,813		)
	Capital (contribution) infusion	—			(60,000		)	60,000			—			—					—
	Exercise of limited partnership unit options	—			76			—			—			—					76
	Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	—			1,208			—			—			—					1,208
	Net cash from (for) financing activities	(103,407		)	25,043			9,230			(93,845		)	—					(162,979		)
	EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	—			—			526			—			—					526
	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
	Net increase (decrease) for the year	25,000			(68		)	18,633			(259		)	—					43,306
	Balance, beginning of year	—			512			31,540			3,472			—					35,524
	Balance, end of year	$	25,000		$	444		$	50,173		$	3,213		$	—				$	78,830
	CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Year Ended December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
		Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)			Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Total
	NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	141,935		$	(155,251	)	$	47,935		$	183,753		$	(195	)		$	218,177
	CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	(8,954		)	(13,523		)	(1,414		)	23,696			195				—
	Capital expenditures	(41,851		)	—			(19,344		)	(28,995		)	—				(90,190		)
	Net cash from (for) investing activities	(50,805		)	(13,523		)	(20,758		)	(5,299		)	195				(90,190		)
	CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit loans	(23,200		)	—			—			—			—				(23,200		)
	Term debt borrowings	13,246			9,357			335			—			—				22,938
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	—			176,343			—			(176,343		)	—				—
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	(13,831		)	(9,763		)	(306		)	—			—				(23,900		)
Distributions (paid) received	(55,562		)	215			—			—			—				(55,347		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(11,783		)	(8,332		)	(1,099		)	—			—				(21,214		)
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	—			5			—			—			—				5
Net cash from (for) financing activities	(91,130		)	167,825			(1,070		)	(176,343		)	—				(100,718		)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	—			—			(1,510		)	—			—				(1,510		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net increase (decrease) for the year	—			(949		)	24,597			2,111			—				25,759
Balance, beginning of year	—			1,461			6,943			1,361			—				9,765
Balance, end of year	$	—		$	512		$	31,540		$	3,472		$	—			$	35,524

Partnership_Organization_Detai

Partnership Organization (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Limited Partners' Capital Account [Line Items]	'	'
General partner ownership interest (in percent)	0.00%	'
Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding	55,716,300	55,617,901
Partners' capital account, units held in treasury	1,345,683	1,444,082
Per-unit distribution made to limited partners	$2.58	'
Aggregate distribution made to limited partners	$143,457,000	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Useful Lives (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Land Improvements [Member]	'
Useful lives (in years)	'25 years
Other Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'
Useful lives (in years)	'20 years
Minimum [Member]	'
Other intangible assets useful life (in years)	'5 years
Minimum [Member] | Building [Member]	'
Useful lives (in years)	'25 years
Minimum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'
Useful lives (in years)	'3 years
Maximum [Member]	'
Other intangible assets useful life (in years)	'20 years
Maximum [Member] | Building [Member]	'
Useful lives (in years)	'40 years
Maximum [Member] | Equipment [Member]	'
Useful lives (in years)	'10 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings per Unit (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Basic weighted average units outstanding	55,476,000	55,518,000	55,345,000
Effect of dilutive units:	'	'	'
Unit options (Note 7)	162,000	43,000	0
Phantom units (Note 7)	187,000	334,000	541,000
Diluted weighted average units outstanding	55,825,000	55,895,000	55,886,000
Net income (loss) per unit - basic	1.95	1.83	1.18
Net income (loss) per unit - diluted	1.94	1.82	1.17
Unit Options [Member]	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive units:	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per unit amount	5,300	11,600	63,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	$8,743,000	$6,625,000	$0
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	28,941,000	-8,998,000	9,909,000
Unrealized foreign currency gain on U.S.-dollar denominated notes	29,085,000	-9,181,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	122,400,000	126,300,000	125,800,000
Gain Loss on Retirement and Impairment of Property Plant and Equipment	-2,539,000	-30,336,000	-11,355,000
Gain (loss) on retirement of ride	'	'	8,790,000
Self-insurance reserves	23,653,000	23,906,000	'
Advertising expense	57,800,000	55,400,000	53,000,000
Wildwater Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	'	$25,000,000	'

LongLived_Assets_Details

Long-Lived Assets (Details) (Wildwater Kingdom [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Wildwater Kingdom [Member]	'
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]	'
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$25,000

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill (gross)	$317,957	$326,089	$323,358
Accumulated Impairment Losses	-79,868	-79,868	-79,868
Goodwill (net)	238,089	246,221	243,490
Foreign currency translation	($8,132)	$2,731	'

Other_Intangible_Assets_Detail

Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	$50,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	50,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	50,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	50,000	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Carrying Amount/Value	39,070,000	40,222,000	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'14 years 7 months 28 days	'14 years 3 months 18 days	'
Accumulated Amortization	399,000	360,000	'
Total other intangible assets, gross carrying amount	39,870,000	41,012,000	'
Total other intangible assets, net carrying value	39,471,000	40,652,000	'
Amortization expense of other intangibles	39,000	38,000	58,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	50,000	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	50,000	'	'
License / Franchise Agreements [Member]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]	'	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'14 years 7 months 28 days	'14 years 3 months 18 days	'
Gross Carrying Amount	800,000	790,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	399,000	360,000	'
Net Carrying Value	$401,000	$430,000	'

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Early Repayment of Senior Debt	$8,000,000	'	'	'
Fair value of term debt	620,400,000	620,400,000	1,117,100,000	'
Available borrowings under revolving credit facility	238,700,000	238,700,000	'	'
commitment fee on unused portion of credit facilities	0.38%	0.38%	'	'
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	901,782,000	901,782,000	401,080,000	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	0	'
Subsidiary guarantor ownership percentage	100.00%	100.00%	'	'
Fair value of notes	933,200,000	933,200,000	353,800,000	'
Interest payments capitalized	'	1,600,000	1,300,000	1,800,000
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Subsidiary guarantor ownership percentage	100.00%	100.00%	'	'
Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	885,000,000	885,000,000	'	'
Pro-forma consolidated leverage ratio	'	5	'	'
Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain] | Canadian Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	15,000,000	15,000,000	'	'
Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain] | Canadian Revolving Credit Facility Cad and USD [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate Margin Over Libor At Period End	2.25%	2.25%	'	'
Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	630,000,000	630,000,000	'	'
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	'	6,300,000	'	'
Interest rate, LIBOR floor	0.75%	0.75%	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Margin Over Libor At Period End	2.50%	2.50%	'	'
Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain] | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	255,000,000	255,000,000	'	'
Maximum outstanding revolving credit balance during period	'	123,025,000	'	'
Notes Payable Due 2018 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	401,782,000	401,782,000	401,080,000	'
Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio requirement	'	3.65	'	'
Total Indebtedness to Consolidated Cash Flow Cushion	'	98,200,000	'	'
Notes Payable Due 2018 [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio requirement	'	4.75	'	'
Notes Payable Due 2018 [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	405,000,000	405,000,000	'	'
Stated interest rate percentage	9.13%	9.13%	'	'
Redemption percentage of original face amount	'	100.00%	'	'
Original Issue Discount [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unamortized discount	5,600,000	5,600,000	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	9.38%	9.38%	'	'
2010 Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,435,000,000	1,435,000,000	'	'
Amended 2010 Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio requirement, period of measurement, annual	'	'12 months	'	'
Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio requirement, period of measurement, quarterly	'	'3 months	'	'
Length of initial agreement covenant requirement (years)	'	'3 years	'	'
Amended 2010 Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,175,000,000	1,175,000,000	'	'
Interest rate, LIBOR floor	1.00%	1.00%	'	'
Length of maturity date extension (years)	'	'1 year	'	'
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Margin Over Libor At Period End	3.00%	3.00%	'	'
Amended 2010 Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	260,000,000	260,000,000	'	'
Notes Payable 2021 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	500,000,000	500,000,000	0	'
Notes Payable 2021 [Member] | Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.25%	5.25%	'	'
Redemption percentage of original face amount	'	100.00%	'	'
Debt Instrument Early Call Date Percentage Of Notes Availabe For Redemption	'	35.00%	'	'
Debt Instrument Early Call Date Premium Price Percentage	'	105.25%	'	'
March 2013 Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Consolidated Leverage Ratio	'	3.59	'	'
Debt Instrument Ebitda Cushion On Consolidated Leverage Ratio	'	180,100,000	'	'
March 2013 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument revised consolidated leverage ratio requirement	'	6.25	'	'
Debt Instrument Restricted Payment	'	60,000,000	'	'
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Standby letters of credit outstanding, amount	$16,300,000	$16,300,000	'	'

Schedule_of_Debt_Maturities_De

Schedule of Debt Maturities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	$901,782,000	$401,080,000
March 2013 Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument Ebitda Cushion On Consolidated Leverage Ratio	180,100,000	'
2014	0	'
2015	6,175,000	'
2016	6,300,000	'
2017	6,300,000	'
2018	6,300,000	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	593,775,000	'
Total	618,850,000	0
Notes Payable 2021 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes Payable, Noncurrent	$500,000,000	$0

Debt_Instruments_Details

Debt Instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of term debt	$620,400,000	$1,117,100,000
Revolving credit facility	0	0
Notes payable	901,782,000	401,080,000
Long-term debt	1,520,632,000	1,532,180,000
Less: current portion	0	0
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,520,632,000	1,532,180,000
Fair value of notes	933,200,000	353,800,000
March 2013 Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument Consolidated Leverage Ratio	3.59	'
Term debt	618,850,000	0
Notes Payable Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	401,782,000	401,080,000
February 2011 Amended US Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Term debt	0	1,131,100,000
Notes Payable 2021 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	500,000,000	0
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes Payable Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Redemption percentage of original face amount	100.00%	'
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Notes Payable 2021 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Redemption percentage of original face amount	100.00%	'
Debt Instrument Early Call Date Percentage Of Notes Availabe For Redemption	35.00%	'
Debt Instrument Early Call Date Premium Price Percentage	105.25%	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.25%	'
Maximum [Member] | March 2013 Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument Restricted Payment	$60,000,000	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 25, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Mar. 05, 2013

Oct. 30, 2011

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 and March 2011 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 and March 2011 Swaps [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current derivative liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($22,746)

$0

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

26,662

32,260

'

'

'

'

3,916

32,260

32,260

'

'

'

'

'

22,150

'

Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net

-26,662

-32,260

-3,916

-32,260

-22,746

0

-26,662

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,200

26,058

'

Amount of hedged item

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$600,000

$600,000

'

'

$600,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments Schedule of Derivatives (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 25, 2011

Feb. 28, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 05, 2013

Oct. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 05, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Libor 30 Day [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain]

2013 Credit Agreement [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 12 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 13 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 14 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 15 [Member] [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Credit Agreement 2013 [Member] [Domain]

Amended 2010 Credit Agreement [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 and March 2011 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 and March 2011 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 and March 2011 Swaps [Member]

May 2011 Swaps [Member]

May 2011 Swaps [Member]

September 2010, March 2011, and March 2013 Swaps [Member] [Domain]

2013 forwards [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 2 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 3 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 5 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 6 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 7 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 8 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 9 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 10 [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap 11 [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cross-Currency Swap [Member]

Cross-Currency Swap [Member]

Foreign Currency Swap [Member]

Foreign Currency Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Floor Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,703

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred hedge gains

'

'

'

'

6,283

16,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net

7,845

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

800,000

'

'

200,000

150,000

75,000

70,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

50,000

30,000

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

2.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.94%

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.27%

2.43%

2.30%

2.54%

2.54%

2.54%

2.43%

2.29%

2.29%

2.54%

2.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.46%

'

'

2.54%

'

2.33%

2.94%

'

'

'

'

'

2.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liabilities, Noncurrent

'

26,662

32,260

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,150

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,916

32,260

32,260

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net effect of swaps

'

6,883

-1,492

-13,119

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,300

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of hedged item

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

600,000

'

'

'

'

600,000

200,000

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,200

'

'

26,058

'

'

7,844

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of derivative instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, LIBOR floor, decrease to percent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.17%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current derivative liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-22,746

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted, net of forfeitures

'

409,837

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted, net of forfeitures

'

$36.95

$29.53

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested

'

204,084

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

885,000

'

630,000

1,175,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,547

$1,279

$3,547

$0

$0

($4,999)

$0

$6,278

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments Income Statement Location (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 Swaps [Member]

September 2010 and March 2011 Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Foreign Currency Swap [Member]

Foreign Currency Swap [Member]

Cross-Currency Swap [Member]

Cross-Currency Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Forward Starting Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Interest Expense [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Net Effect of Swaps [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Floor Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

1.00%

'

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in accumulated OCI on derivatives (effective portion)

'

'

'

'

'

($1,650)

$140

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount and location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,797

-12,027

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Net Hedge Ineffectiveness Gain (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,703

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,547

1,279

3,547

0

0

6,278

0

-4,999

'

'

'

Gain on ineffective portion of derivatives

'

1,279

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred hedge gains

'

'

'

6,283

16,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (loss) on foreign currency derivatives

'

200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net effect of swaps

$6,883

($1,492)

($13,119)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($3,300)

Partners_Equity_Narrative_Deta

Partners' Equity Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Special L.P. interests	$5,290,000	$5,290,000	'
Unit options and other forms of equity authorized under equity incentive plan	2,500,000	'	'
Compensation expense related to non-option equity instruments	6,391,000	4,476,000	-239,000
Distribution equivalent liability	737,100	'	'
Intrinsic value of restricted units that vested	1,246,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	30.10%	37.20%	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.88%	2.31%	'
Option valuation of distribution amount	2.5	1.6	'
Unit options granted in period	413,248	280,672	'
Unit options granted in period, fair value per share	$3.47	$4.92	'
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	200,000	400,000	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares	410,570	'	210,504
Non-cash compensation expense relating to unit options	903,105	345,228	'
Phantom Share Units (PSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation expense related to non-option equity instruments	5,000,000	3,400,000	5,400,000
Non-option equity instruments, units outstanding	191,607	'	'
Non-option equity instruments, vested units outstanding	164,008	'	'
Closing price per unit	$49.58	'	'
Aggregate market value of vested units, current portion	4,900,000	500,000	'
Aggregate market value of vested units, noncurrent portion	3,200,000	4,400,000	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards	1,400,000	'	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards, period for recognition	'1 year	'	'
Fixed Price Options [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards	1,600,000	'	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards, period for recognition	'1 year 9 months 18 days	'	'
Unit options outstanding	684,822	'	'
Performance Units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation expense related to non-option equity instruments	3,620,000	3,354,000	2,605,000
Non-option equity instruments, units outstanding	149,752	'	'
Non-option equity instruments, vested units outstanding	72,761	'	'
Closing price per unit	$49.58	'	'
Aggregate market value of vested units, current portion	'	3,782,000	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards	3,800,000	'	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards, period for recognition	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'	'
Non-option equity instruments awarded	78,111	'	'
Grant price per unit	36.95	'	'
Aggregate market value of contingently issuable units	3,607,000	541,403	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Compensation expense related to non-option equity instruments	2,570,450	1,220,400	'
Non-option equity instruments, vested units outstanding	115,290	'	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards	$3,839,000	'	'
Unamortized compensation related to unvested phantom unit awards, period for recognition	'1 year 7 months 6 days	'	'
Non-option equity instruments awarded	227,999	'	'
Award vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Restricted Units February 2013 Award [Member] [Domain]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Non-option equity instruments awarded	39,052	'	'
Grant price per unit	36.95	'	'
2013 and 2012 Option Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award vesting period	'3 years	'	'
Expected term, maximum	'10 years	'	'
Prior Option Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award vesting period	'5 years	'	'

Unit_Option_Activity_Details

Unit Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unit options, outstanding	294,022	224,500	'
Granted, net of forfeitures	409,837	'	'
Unit options, exercised	-16,278	-206,150	'
Unit options, forfeited	-6,170	-5,000	'
Unit options, outstanding	684,822	294,022	224,500
Unit options exercisable	274,252	83,518	'
Unit options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$29.45	$24.40	'
Unit options granted, weighted average exercise price	$36.95	$29.53	'
Unit options exercised, weighted average exercise price	$28.36	$24.19	'
Unit options forfeited, weighted average exercise price	$32.93	$23.81	'
Unit options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$33.97	$29.45	$24.40
Unit options exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$32.61	$29.26	'
Cash received from unit option exercises	$52	$76	$5

Vested_Unit_Options_Outstandin

Vested Unit Options Outstanding (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified				Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'	'	'	'8 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$33.97	$29.45	$24.40	$33.97
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Limit	'	'	'	$29.53
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Limit	'	'	'	$36.95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	274,252	83,518	'	684,822
Aggregate intrinsic value	'	'	'	$4,654

Partners_Equity_Nonvested_Unit

Partners' Equity Nonvested Unit Options Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] [Roll Forward]	'	'
Nonvested, beginning of year	'	210,504
Granted, net of forfeitures	409,837	'
Vested	-204,084	'
Exercised	-4,128	'
Forfeited	-1,559	'
Nonvested, beginning of year	410,570	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Nonvested, beginning of year	'	$29.53
Granted, net of forfeitures	$36.95	$29.53
Exercised	$29.53	'
Vested	$33.67	'
Forfeited	$29.53	'
Nonvested, end of year	$34.88	'

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Employees
Noncontributory retirement plans, amounts accrued	$4.40	$3.90	$3.90
Matching contributions made by partnership, net of forfeitures	1.9	1.7	1.6
Multiemployer Plan, Number of Employees	235	'	'
Multiemployer plan, contributions made in period	$1.30	$1.30	$1.20

Income_and_Partnership_Taxes_N

Income and Partnership Taxes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Valuation Allowance, Amount	'	$11,300,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	300,000	'	'
Provision (benefit) for taxes	20,243,000	31,757,000	7,877,000
Provision for the PTP tax	9,600,000	8,700,000	8,300,000
Provision (benefit) pertaining to corporate subsidiaries	10,594,000	23,012,000	-411,000
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	'	'
Foreign tax credit carryforwards available for U.S. federal income tax purposes	24,300,000	31,162,000	'
Valuation allowance	-4,460,000	-6,030,000	-10,460,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential	6,900,000	'	'
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	6,792,000	11,253,000	'
Tax attribute carryforwards	8,566,000	10,948,000	'
Alternative minimum tax credits	800,000	'	'
General business credits	3,200,000	'	'
State net operating loss carryforwards	4,600,000	'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Comprehensive Income	1,200,000	2,200,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued	200,000	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	0	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$1,100,000	$1,100,000	'

Income_Tax_Expense_Details

Income Tax Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current federal	$5,398	($1,081)	$399
Current state and local	1,436	743	894
Current foreign	412	-4,152	-2,381
Total current	7,246	-4,490	-1,088
Deferred federal, state and local	9,989	9,237	1,866
Deferred foreign	-6,641	18,265	-1,189
Total deferred	3,348	27,502	677
Provision (benefit) pertaining to corporate subsidiaries	$10,594	$23,012	($411)

Income_Before_Taxes_Details

Income Before Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Domestic	$159,256	$113,132	$93,926
Foreign	-30,809	20,482	-20,753
Income (loss) before taxes	$128,447	$133,614	$73,173

Effective_Income_Tax_Reconcili

Effective Income Tax Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income tax expense based on U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	$44,956	$46,765	$25,611
Partnership loss (income) not deductible (includible) from (in) corporate income	-31,574	-21,273	-16,188
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	2,459	3,486	1,674
Valuation allowance	-4,460	-6,030	-10,460
Tax credits	-1,303	-2,100	-1,791
Nondeductible expenses and other	516	2,164	743
Provision (benefit) pertaining to corporate subsidiaries	$10,594	$23,012	($411)

Deferred_Tax_Assets_and_Liabil1

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Options and deferred compensation	$11,086	$7,741
Accrued expenses	6,369	4,519
Foreign tax credits	24,300	31,162
Tax attribute carryforwards	8,566	10,948
Derivatives	4,377	10,661
Other, net	1,785	4,126
Deferred tax assets	56,483	69,157
Valuation allowance	-6,792	-11,253
Net deferred tax assets	49,691	57,904
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Property	-190,175	-190,976
Derferred Tax Liability, Intangibles	-7,569	-3,864
Foreign currency translation	-385	-8,672
Deferred tax liabilities	198,129	203,512
Net deferred tax liability	-148,438	-145,608
Net current and non-current components of deferred taxes:	'	'
Net current deferred tax asset	9,675	8,184
Net non-current deferred tax liability	-158,113	-153,792
Net deferred tax liability	($148,438)	($145,608)

Income_and_Partnership_Taxes_U

Income and Partnership Taxes Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$1,100	$1,100
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	0	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	0	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	$0	'

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Lease Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating lease expense	$12.70	$12	$9.70

Future_Minimum_Lease_Payments_

Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
2014	$9,565
2015	9,046
2016	8,531
2017	8,051
2018	7,613
Thereafter	113,405
Total future minimum payments due	$156,211

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Wildwater Kingdom [Member]

Total [Member]

Total [Member]

Total [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Not Designated As Hedging [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Total [Member]

Total [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Total [Member]

Level 1 [Member]

Level 2 [Member]

Level 3 [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative liability

($26,662,000)

($32,260,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($3,916,000)

($32,260,000)

($32,260,000)

($3,916,000)

[1]

($32,260,000)

[1]

$0

$0

($3,916,000)

($32,260,000)

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

($22,746,000)

[1]

$0

($22,746,000)

$0

Current derivative liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-22,746,000

0

'

'

'

'

Net derivative liability

-26,662,000

-32,260,000

'

-26,662,000

-32,260,000

'

0

0

-26,662,000

-32,260,000

0

0

-3,916,000

-32,260,000

-26,662,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-22,746,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-lived fixed assets

'

'

'

'

'

19,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in net derivative liability

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use

'

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of term debt

620,400,000

1,117,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of notes

$933,200,000

$353,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

ncluded in "Derivative Liability" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C2

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Changes in AOCI (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	($28,500)	[1]	'		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	1,510	[1]	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	11,982	[1],[2]	'		'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	13,492	[1]	508		4,700
Ending balance	-15,008	[1]	-28,500	[1]	'
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	-25,749	[1]	'		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-1,246	[1]	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	11,982	[1],[2]	'		'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	10,736	[1]	'		'
Ending balance	-15,013	[1]	'		'
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	-2,751	[1]	'		'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,756	[1]	'		'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	[1],[2]	'		'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	2,756	[1]	'		'
Ending balance	$5	[1]	'		'
[1]	All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
[2]	See Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income table below for reclassification details.

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C3

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net effect of swaps	($6,883)		$1,492	$13,119
Total before tax	128,447		133,614	73,173
Provision (benefit) for taxes	20,243		31,757	7,877
Net income (loss)	108,204		101,857	65,296
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Total before tax	14,132	[1]	'	'
Provision (benefit) for taxes	2,150	[1]	'	'
Net income (loss)	11,982	[1]	'	'
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net effect of swaps	$14,132	[1]	'	'
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate gains.

Consolidating_Financial_Inform2

Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers (Details)	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Subsidiary guarantor ownership percentage	100.00%
Unsecured Debt [Member]	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Subsidiary ownership percentage, guaranteeing notes	100.00%
Subsidiary guarantor ownership percentage	100.00%
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Payable Due 2018 [Member]	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Stated interest rate percentage	9.13%
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Notes Payable 2021 [Member]	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.25%

Consolidating_Financial_Inform3

Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$118,056	$78,830	$35,524	$9,765
Receivables	21,333	18,192	'	'
Inventories	26,080	27,840	'	'
Current deferred tax asset	9,675	8,184	'	'
Other current assets	11,353	8,060	'	'
Total current assets	186,497	141,106	'	'
Property and equipment (net)	1,505,763	1,544,272	'	'
Investment In Park	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	238,089	246,221	243,490	'
Other intangibles, net	39,471	40,652	'	'
Deferred Tax Asset	0	0	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	0	0	'	'
Other Assets	44,807	47,614	'	'
Assets	2,014,627	2,019,865	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Accounts payable	13,222	10,734	'	'
Deferred revenue	44,521	39,485	'	'
Accrued interest	23,201	15,512	'	'
Accrued taxes	19,481	17,813	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	29,200	24,836	'	'
Self-insurance reserves	23,653	23,906	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	5,521	5,916	'	'
Total current liabilities	158,799	138,202	'	'
Deferred Tax Liability	158,113	153,792	'	'
Derivative Liability	26,662	32,260	'	'
Other Liabilities	11,290	8,980	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	'	'	'	'
Term debt	618,850	1,131,100	'	'
Notes	901,782	401,080	'	'
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,520,632	1,532,180	'	'
Equity	139,131	154,451	136,350	'
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	2,014,627	2,019,865	'	'
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	75,000	25,000	0	0
Receivables	6	4	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Current deferred tax asset	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	599	563	'	'
Total current assets	75,605	25,567	'	'
Property and equipment (net)	447,724	439,506	'	'
Investment In Park	514,948	485,136	'	'
Goodwill	9,061	9,061	'	'
Other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Deferred Tax Asset	0	0	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	873,067	877,612	'	'
Other Assets	25,210	22,048	'	'
Assets	1,945,615	1,858,930	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	'	0	'	'
Accounts payable	259,850	147,264	'	'
Deferred revenue	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest	4,637	98	'	'
Accrued taxes	4,609	4,518	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0	0	'	'
Self-insurance reserves	0	0	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	1,146	1,110	'	'
Total current liabilities	270,242	152,990	'	'
Deferred Tax Liability	0	0	'	'
Derivative Liability	15,610	19,309	'	'
Other Liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	'	'	'	'
Term debt	618,850	1,131,100	'	'
Notes	901,782	401,080	'	'
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,520,632	1,532,180	'	'
Equity	139,131	154,451	'	'
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	1,945,615	1,858,930	'	'
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	4,144	444	512	1,461
Receivables	115,972	101,093	'	'
Inventories	1,968	1,724	'	'
Current deferred tax asset	5,430	3,705	'	'
Other current assets	4,443	17,858	'	'
Total current assets	131,957	124,824	'	'
Property and equipment (net)	976	1,013	'	'
Investment In Park	796,735	772,183	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Deferred Tax Asset	31,122	36,443	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	1,063,568	1,070,125	'	'
Other Assets	10,002	14,832	'	'
Assets	2,034,360	2,019,420	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	'	0	'	'
Accounts payable	188,818	213,279	'	'
Deferred revenue	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest	3,223	64	'	'
Accrued taxes	0	0	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	21,596	17,932	'	'
Self-insurance reserves	5,757	5,528	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	2,993	2,502	'	'
Total current liabilities	222,387	239,305	'	'
Deferred Tax Liability	0	0	'	'
Derivative Liability	11,052	12,951	'	'
Other Liabilities	7,858	5,480	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	'	'	'	'
Term debt	618,850	1,131,100	'	'
Notes	901,782	401,080	'	'
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,520,632	1,532,180	'	'
Equity	272,431	229,504	'	'
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	2,034,360	2,019,420	'	'
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	35,575	50,173	31,540	6,943
Receivables	67,829	71,099	'	'
Inventories	1,898	2,352	'	'
Current deferred tax asset	800	816	'	'
Other current assets	14,266	530	'	'
Total current assets	120,368	124,970	'	'
Property and equipment (net)	243,208	268,157	'	'
Investment In Park	142,668	115,401	'	'
Goodwill	117,810	125,942	'	'
Other intangibles, net	16,683	17,835	'	'
Deferred Tax Asset	0	0	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	1,104,629	1,116,623	'	'
Other Assets	6,657	8,419	'	'
Assets	1,752,023	1,777,347	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	'	0	'	'
Accounts payable	17,632	16,101	'	'
Deferred revenue	2,815	4,996	'	'
Accrued interest	15,341	15,350	'	'
Accrued taxes	0	6,239	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	1,101	1,214	'	'
Self-insurance reserves	1,742	1,754	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	181	140	'	'
Total current liabilities	38,812	45,794	'	'
Deferred Tax Liability	57,704	63,460	'	'
Derivative Liability	0	0	'	'
Other Liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	'	'	'	'
Term debt	618,850	1,131,100	'	'
Notes	901,782	401,080	'	'
Long-term debt, noncurrent	1,520,632	1,532,180	'	'
Equity	134,875	135,913	'	'
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	1,752,023	1,777,347	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	3,337	3,213	3,472	1,361
Receivables	552,633	498,555	'	'
Inventories	22,214	23,764	'	'
Current deferred tax asset	3,445	3,663	'	'
Other current assets	7,764	5,490	'	'
Total current assets	589,393	534,685	'	'
Property and equipment (net)	813,855	835,596	'	'
Investment In Park	63,948	53,790	'	'
Goodwill	111,218	111,218	'	'
Other intangibles, net	22,788	22,817	'	'
Deferred Tax Asset	117	90	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	0	0	'	'
Other Assets	2,938	2,315	'	'
Assets	1,604,257	1,560,511	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	'	0	'	'
Accounts payable	262,029	286,649	'	'
Deferred revenue	41,706	34,489	'	'
Accrued interest	0	0	'	'
Accrued taxes	30,591	23,437	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	6,503	5,690	'	'
Self-insurance reserves	16,154	16,624	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	1,201	2,164	'	'
Total current liabilities	358,184	369,053	'	'
Deferred Tax Liability	131,648	126,865	'	'
Derivative Liability	0	0	'	'
Other Liabilities	3,432	3,500	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	'	'	'	'
Term debt	0	0	'	'
Notes	0	0	'	'
Long-term debt, noncurrent	0	0	'	'
Equity	1,110,993	1,061,093	'	'
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	1,604,257	1,560,511	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Current Assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Receivables	-715,107	-652,559	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Current deferred tax asset	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	-15,719	-16,381	'	'
Total current assets	-730,826	-668,940	'	'
Property and equipment (net)	0	0	'	'
Investment In Park	-1,518,299	-1,426,510	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'
Deferred Tax Asset	-31,239	-36,533	'	'
Intercompany Receivable	-3,041,264	-3,064,360	'	'
Other Assets	0	0	'	'
Assets	-5,321,628	-5,196,343	'	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	'	0	'	'
Accounts payable	-715,107	-652,559	'	'
Deferred revenue	0	0	'	'
Accrued interest	0	0	'	'
Accrued taxes	-15,719	-16,381	'	'
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	0	0	'	'
Self-insurance reserves	0	0	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	-730,826	-668,940	'	'
Deferred Tax Liability	-31,239	-36,533	'	'
Derivative Liability	0	0	'	'
Other Liabilities	0	0	'	'
Long-Term Debt:	'	'	'	'
Term debt	-1,237,700	-2,262,200	'	'
Notes	-1,803,564	-802,160	'	'
Long-term debt, noncurrent	-3,041,264	-3,064,360	'	'
Equity	-1,518,299	-1,426,510	'	'
Total Partners' Equity and Liabilities	($5,321,628)	($5,196,343)	'	'

Consolidating_Financial_Inform4

Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net revenues	$1,134,572		$1,068,454	$1,028,472
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	91,772		95,048	92,057
Operating expenses	472,344		451,403	430,851
Selling, general and administrative	152,412		138,311	140,426
Depreciation and amortization	122,487		126,306	125,837
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	2,539		30,336	11,355
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	-8,743		-6,625	0
Total costs and expenses	832,811		834,779	800,526
Operating income	301,761		233,675	227,946
Interest expense (income), net	102,917		110,551	157,028
Net effect of swaps	6,883		-1,492	-13,119
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	34,573		0	0
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	28,941		-8,998	9,909
Other (income) expense	0		0	955
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	0		0	0
Income (loss) before taxes	128,447		133,614	73,173
Provision (benefit) for taxes	20,243		31,757	7,877
Net income (loss)	108,204		101,857	65,296
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	2,756		369	933
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	10,736		139	3,767
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,492	[1]	508	4,700
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	121,696		102,365	69,996
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent) [Member]	'		'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net revenues	152,469		145,715	141,149
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	0		0	0
Operating expenses	6,003		5,380	5,491
Selling, general and administrative	5,717		6,495	10,073
Depreciation and amortization	36,807		37,660	37,283
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	424		25,997	990
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	0		-862	'
Total costs and expenses	48,951		74,670	53,837
Operating income	103,518		71,045	87,312
Interest expense (income), net	42,630		48,524	84,391
Net effect of swaps	4,190		-138	-12,214
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	21,175		'	'
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	750		749	1,705
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	-83,557		-90,022	-60,251
Income (loss) before taxes	118,330		111,932	73,681
Provision (benefit) for taxes	10,126		10,075	8,385
Net income (loss)	108,204		101,857	65,296
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	2,756		369	933
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	10,736		139	3,767
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	13,492		508	4,700
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	121,696		102,365	69,996
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) [Member]	'		'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net revenues	296,077		258,136	251,064
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	0		0	0
Operating expenses	183,604		176,356	165,409
Selling, general and administrative	100,825		86,615	84,270
Depreciation and amortization	37		40	47
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0		0	0
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	0		0	'
Total costs and expenses	284,466		263,011	249,726
Operating income	11,611		-4,875	1,338
Interest expense (income), net	28,875		29,328	15,030
Net effect of swaps	2,693		121	718
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	12,781		'	'
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	-11,257		-9,507	-7,798
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	-37,520		-66,150	-11,912
Income (loss) before taxes	16,039		41,333	5,300
Provision (benefit) for taxes	-12,133		-9,856	-23,000
Net income (loss)	28,172		51,189	28,300
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	0		0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	2,848		114	-9,499
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,848		114	-9,499
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	31,020		51,303	18,801
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) [Member]	'		'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net revenues	127,692		140,418	126,972
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	9,322		10,316	9,932
Operating expenses	47,770		47,863	45,765
Selling, general and administrative	10,984		11,135	11,314
Depreciation and amortization	17,333		18,199	17,325
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	479		6	-61
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	0		0	'
Total costs and expenses	85,888		87,519	84,275
Operating income	41,804		52,899	42,697
Interest expense (income), net	39,376		40,870	52,814
Net effect of swaps	0		-1,475	-1,623
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	617		'	'
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	28,941		-8,998	9,909
Other (income) expense	3,679		2,020	2,349
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	-17,438		-14,597	-6,945
Income (loss) before taxes	-13,371		35,079	-13,807
Provision (benefit) for taxes	-10,856		3,413	2,970
Net income (loss)	-2,515		31,666	-16,777
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	2,756		369	933
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	0		21	291
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,756		390	1,224
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	241		32,056	-15,553
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net revenues	1,006,469		927,668	901,120
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	82,450		84,732	82,125
Operating expenses	683,102		625,287	606,019
Selling, general and administrative	34,886		34,066	34,769
Depreciation and amortization	68,310		70,407	71,182
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	1,636		4,333	10,426
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	-8,743		-5,763	'
Total costs and expenses	861,641		813,062	804,521
Operating income	144,828		114,606	96,599
Interest expense (income), net	-7,964		-8,171	4,793
Net effect of swaps	0		0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		'	'
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	6,828		6,738	4,699
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	2,477		-31,759	15,573
Income (loss) before taxes	143,487		147,798	71,534
Provision (benefit) for taxes	33,106		28,125	19,522
Net income (loss)	110,381		119,673	52,012
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	0		0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	0		0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	0		0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	110,381		119,673	52,012
Eliminations [Member]	'		'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'
Net revenues	-448,135		-403,483	-391,833
Costs and expenses:	'		'	'
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues	0		0	0
Operating expenses	-448,135		-403,483	-391,833
Selling, general and administrative	0		0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0		0	0
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net	0		0	0
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	0		0	'
Total costs and expenses	-448,135		-403,483	-391,833
Operating income	0		0	0
Interest expense (income), net	0		0	0
Net effect of swaps	0		0	0
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0		'	'
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain (loss)	0		0	0
Other (income) expense	0		0	0
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates	136,038		202,528	63,535
Income (loss) before taxes	-136,038		-202,528	-63,535
Provision (benefit) for taxes	0		0	0
Net income (loss)	-136,038		-202,528	-63,535
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-2,756		-369	-933
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	-2,848		-135	9,208
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-5,604		-504	8,275
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	($141,642)		($203,032)	($55,260)
[1]	All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Consolidating_Financial_Inform5

Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
NET CASH (FOR) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$324,457	$285,933	$218,177
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	15,297	16,058	0
Capital expenditures	-120,448	-96,232	-90,190
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	0	0	0
Net cash from (for) investing activities	-105,151	-80,174	-90,190
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	0	0	-23,200
Derivative settlement	0	-50,450	0
Term debt borrowings	630,000	0	22,938
Note borrowings	500,000	0	0
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	'	0	0
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	-1,142,250	-25,000	-23,900
Distributions (paid) received	-143,457	-88,813	-55,347
Payment of debt issuance costs	-23,532	0	-21,214
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	52	76	5
Capital (contribution) infusion	'	0	'
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	855	1,208	0
Net cash (for) financing activities	-178,332	-162,979	-100,718
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-1,748	526	-1,510
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	39,226	43,306	25,759
Balance, beginning of period	78,830	35,524	9,765
Balance, end of period	118,056	78,830	35,524
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent) [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
NET CASH (FOR) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	304,815	130,043	141,935
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	0	1,173	'
Capital expenditures	-56,254	-33,664	-41,851
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	-29,812	30,855	-8,954
Net cash from (for) investing activities	-86,066	-1,636	-50,805
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	'	'	-23,200
Derivative settlement	'	0	'
Term debt borrowings	359,022	'	13,246
Note borrowings	294,897	'	'
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	'	0	0
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	-661,180	-14,468	-13,831
Distributions (paid) received	-146,953	-88,939	-55,562
Payment of debt issuance costs	-14,535	'	-11,783
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	0	0	0
Capital (contribution) infusion	'	0	'
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	0	0	'
Net cash (for) financing activities	-168,749	-103,407	-91,130
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	50,000	25,000	0
Balance, beginning of period	25,000	0	0
Balance, end of period	75,000	25,000	0
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum) [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
NET CASH (FOR) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	37,035	30,996	-155,251
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	0	0	'
Capital expenditures	0	-8	0
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	-24,552	-56,099	-13,523
Net cash from (for) investing activities	-24,552	-56,107	-13,523
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	'	'	0
Derivative settlement	'	0	'
Term debt borrowings	256,500	'	9,357
Note borrowings	205,103	'	'
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	'	93,845	176,343
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	-466,336	-10,212	-9,763
Distributions (paid) received	3,496	126	215
Payment of debt issuance costs	-8,453	'	-8,332
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	52	76	5
Capital (contribution) infusion	'	-60,000	'
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	855	1,208	'
Net cash (for) financing activities	-8,783	25,043	167,825
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	3,700	-68	-949
Balance, beginning of period	444	512	1,461
Balance, end of period	4,144	444	512
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada) [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
NET CASH (FOR) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	30,786	21,256	47,935
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	0	0	'
Capital expenditures	-9,723	-14,551	-19,344
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	-33,113	2,172	-1,414
Net cash from (for) investing activities	-42,836	-12,379	-20,758
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	'	'	0
Derivative settlement	'	-50,450	'
Term debt borrowings	14,478	'	335
Note borrowings	0	'	'
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	'	0	0
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	-14,734	-320	-306
Distributions (paid) received	0	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	-544	'	-1,099
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	0	0	0
Capital (contribution) infusion	'	60,000	'
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	0	0	'
Net cash (for) financing activities	-800	9,230	-1,070
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-1,748	526	-1,510
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	-14,598	18,633	24,597
Balance, beginning of period	50,173	31,540	6,943
Balance, end of period	35,575	50,173	31,540
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
NET CASH (FOR) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	45,916	143,489	183,753
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	15,297	14,885	'
Capital expenditures	-54,471	-48,009	-28,995
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	-6,618	-16,779	23,696
Net cash from (for) investing activities	-45,792	-49,903	-5,299
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	'	'	0
Derivative settlement	'	0	'
Term debt borrowings	0	'	0
Note borrowings	0	'	'
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	'	-93,845	-176,343
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	0	0	0
Distributions (paid) received	0	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	'	0
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	0	0	0
Capital (contribution) infusion	'	0	'
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	0	0	'
Net cash (for) financing activities	0	-93,845	-176,343
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	124	-259	2,111
Balance, beginning of period	3,213	3,472	1,361
Balance, end of period	3,337	3,213	3,472
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
NET CASH (FOR) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	-94,095	-39,851	-195
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Proceeds from the sale of other assets	0	0	'
Capital expenditures	0	0	0
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates	94,095	39,851	195
Net cash from (for) investing activities	94,095	39,851	195
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'	'
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans	'	'	0
Derivative settlement	'	0	'
Term debt borrowings	0	'	0
Note borrowings	0	'	'
Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts	'	0	0
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties	0	0	0
Distributions (paid) received	0	0	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	'	0
Exercise of limited partnership unit options	0	0	0
Capital (contribution) infusion	'	0	'
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense	0	0	'
Net cash (for) financing activities	0	0	0
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	0	0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	'	'	'
Net increase (decrease) for the period	0	0	0
Balance, beginning of period	0	0	0
Balance, end of period	$0	$0	$0