DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - Summary of Operating Activity Related to Discontinued Operation (Detail) (Blue Harbor Resort [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Blue Harbor Resort [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 0	$ 1,578	$ 8,246
Operating expenses	(14)	(1,535)	(8,026)
Gain on sale	0	6,667	0
Interest expense, net of interest income	0	(76)	(724)
Income tax expense	0	0	(5)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ (14)	$ 6,634	$ (509)

Amount of gain (loss), before tax expense or benefit and not previously recognized, resulting from the sale of a business component.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tax effect allocated to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the tax effects of the following: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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- Definition

Amount of interest expense allocated to disposal group, including a discontinued operation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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+ Details

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. 10-K