Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 60,787	$ 57,258
Tenant reimbursements	4,744	4,822
Other income	24	25
Mortgage and other financing income	17,795	14,674
Total revenue	83,350	76,779
Property operating expense	7,005	6,374
Other expense	194	350
Total investment expenses	7,199	6,724
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	76,151	70,055
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(6,652)	(6,467)
Gain on early extinguishment of debt	4,539	0
Interest expense, net	(19,989)	(18,141)
Transaction costs	(318)	(158)
Impairment charges	0	(3,998)
Depreciation and amortization	13,438	11,740
Equity in income from joint ventures	351	47
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	3	(355)
Impairment charges	0	(8,845)
Gain on sale or acquisition of real estate	565	282
Net income	41,206	21,390
Add: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(18)
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(6,001)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of Entertainment Properties Trust	35,254	15,371
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	54,983	54,561
Tenant reimbursements	4,744	4,822
Other income	23	24
Mortgage and other financing income	2,204	447
Total revenue	61,954	59,854
Property operating expense	7,135	6,005
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	7,135	6,005
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	54,819	53,849
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	3,157	1,420
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,957	7,295
Total revenue	11,114	8,715
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	11,114	8,715
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,909	519
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,555	6,906
Total revenue	9,464	7,425
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	9,464	7,425
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	738	758
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	1	1
Mortgage and other financing income	79	26
Total revenue	818	785
Property operating expense	(130)	369
Other expense	141	183
Total investment expenses	11	552
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	807	233
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0
Total revenue	0	0
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense	53	167
Total investment expenses	53	167
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ (53)	$ (167)