| **Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Tables)**   | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
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| **Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]**       |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Composition Of Property, Plant And Equipment           | The composition of property, plant and equipment follows (in thousands):   April 30, 2013 July 31, 2012 April 30, 2012Land and land improvements $295,559 $281,729 $282,038Buildings and building improvements 852,483 838,780 835,291Machinery and equipment 599,199 563,309 566,466Furniture and fixtures 254,671 243,587 240,367Software 91,987 81,659 80,591Vehicles 48,592 44,798 44,536Construction in progress 27,273 36,979 26,341Gross property, plant and equipment 2,169,764 2,090,841 2,075,630Accumulated depreciation (1,129,857) (1,041,634) (1,019,387)Property, plant and equipment, net $1,039,907 $1,049,207 $1,056,243 |
| Components Of Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities | The composition of accounts payable and accrued liabilities follows (in thousands):   April 30, 2013 July 31, 2012 April 30, 2012Trade payables $59,515 $56,508 $55,619Deferred revenue 81,092 78,793 68,182Accrued salaries, wages and deferred compensation 28,563 21,242 23,534Accrued benefits 24,002 20,216 26,089Deposits 12,173 12,031 12,310Accrued interest 13,543 8,015 13,534Other accruals 27,464 30,733 24,779Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $246,352 $227,538 $224,047                                                                                                                                                                |
| Components Of Other Long-Term Liabilities              | The composition of other long-term liabilities follows (in thousands):   April 30, 2013 July 31, 2012 April 30, 2012Private club deferred initiation fee revenue  $133,578 $135,660 $136,740Unfavorable lease obligation, net 34,055 36,058 36,726Other long-term liabilities 58,512 61,151 60,457Total other long-term liabilities $226,145 $232,869 $233,923                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

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| - Definition
Schedule of Other Long-term Liabilities [Table Text Block]
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b -Article 5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682
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Tabular disclosure of the (a) carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business (accounts payable); (b) other payables; and (c) accrued liabilities. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). An alternative caption includes accrued expenses.
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