Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 60,765	$ 58,305	$ 121,552	$ 115,563
Tenant reimbursements	4,452	4,365	9,196	9,186
Other income	104	107	128	133
Mortgage and other financing income	18,236	15,212	36,031	29,885
Total revenue	83,557	77,989	166,907	154,767
Property operating expense	5,990	5,687	12,995	12,061
Other expense	243	339	437	689
Total investment expenses	6,233	6,026	13,432	12,750
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	77,324	71,963	153,475	142,017
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(6,051)	(5,821)	(12,703)	(12,288)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	5,943	0	5,943	0
Gain on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	4,539	0
Interest expense, net	(20,000)	(18,459)	(39,989)	(36,600)
Transaction costs	(224)	(31)	(542)	(189)
Impairment charges	0	0	0	(3,998)
Depreciation and amortization	(13,776)	(12,069)	(27,214)	(23,808)
Equity in income from joint ventures	466	278	817	324
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(680)	(519)	(677)	(875)
Impairment charges	0	0	0	(8,845)
Gain on sale or acquisition of real estate	0	438	565	720
Net income	32,476	36,818	73,682	58,208
Add: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	(19)	0	(37)
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(6,002)	(11,904)	(12,003)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	26,524	30,797	61,778	46,168
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	54,522	55,034	109,504	109,595
Tenant reimbursements	4,452	4,365	9,196	9,186
Other income	24	21	47	46
Mortgage and other financing income	2,223	498	4,427	945
Total revenue	61,221	59,918	123,174	119,772
Property operating expense	5,840	5,432	12,976	11,437
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	5,840	5,432	12,976	11,437
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	55,381	54,486	110,198	108,335
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	3,152	1,720	6,310	3,141
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	8,145	7,548	16,102	14,843
Total revenue	11,297	9,268	22,412	17,984
Property operating expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	11,297	9,268	22,412	17,984
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,782	797	3,691	1,316
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,789	7,143	15,344	14,049
Total revenue	9,571	7,940	19,035	15,365
Property operating expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	9,571	7,940	19,035	15,365
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,309	754	2,047	1,511
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	77	86	78	87
Mortgage and other financing income	79	23	158	48
Total revenue	1,465	863	2,283	1,646
Property operating expense	150	255	19	624
Other expense	264	247	406	430
Total investment expenses	414	502	425	1,054
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,051	361	1,858	592
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	3	0	3	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	3	0	3	0
Property operating expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense	(21)	92	31	259
Total investment expenses	(21)	92	31	259
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 24	$ (92)	$ (28)	$ (259)