Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 77,860	$ 69,918	$ 154,600	$ 136,349
Tenant reimbursements	3,965	4,281	8,268	8,869
Other income	1,148	187	1,698	361
Mortgage and other financing income	18,285	17,401	36,128	36,064
Total revenue	101,258	91,787	200,694	181,643
Property operating expense	5,770	5,539	12,127	11,988
Other expense	210	219	312	318
Total investment expenses	5,980	5,758	12,439	12,306
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	95,278	86,029	188,255	169,337
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(7,756)	(7,079)	(15,438)	(14,541)
Retirement severance expense	0	0	(18,578)	0
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(243)	0	(243)	0
Interest expense, net	(20,007)	(20,555)	(38,594)	(40,453)
Transaction costs	(4,429)	(756)	(6,035)	(952)
Depreciation and amortization	(21,849)	(16,002)	(41,204)	(31,329)
Equity in income from joint ventures	198	267	362	578
Gain on sale of investment in a direct financing lease	0	220	0	220
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	7,506	(1,360)	(920)	(2,285)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(68)	4	(58)	(11)
Transaction (costs) benefit	0	0	0	3,376
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	48,766	40,760	91,587	84,292
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(5,952)	(11,904)	(11,904)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	42,814	34,808	79,683	72,388
Gain on sale of real estate	0	0	23,924	330
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	59,829	59,502	119,770	116,324
Tenant reimbursements	3,965	4,281	8,291	8,869
Other income	501	(12)	503	(12)
Mortgage and other financing income	1,782	1,768	3,564	3,490
Total revenue	66,077	65,539	132,128	128,671
Property operating expense	5,692	5,381	11,986	11,654
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	5,692	5,381	11,986	11,654
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	60,385	60,158	120,142	117,017
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	10,803	5,519	20,897	10,996
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,793	7,440	15,577	16,218
Total revenue	18,596	12,959	36,474	27,214
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	18,596	12,959	36,474	27,214
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	7,228	4,612	13,933	8,459
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	8,613	8,096	16,794	16,162
Total revenue	15,841	12,708	30,727	24,621
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	15,841	12,708	30,727	24,621
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	285	0	570
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	(23)	0
Other income	63	92	63	93
Mortgage and other financing income	97	97	193	194
Total revenue	160	474	233	857
Property operating expense	78	158	141	334
Other expense	210	219	312	318
Total investment expenses	288	377	453	652
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	(128)	97	(220)	205
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	584	107	1,132	280
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	584	107	1,132	280
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	$ 584	$ 107	$ 1,132	$ 280