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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName VIRTUS OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Jan. 31, 2013
Virtus Global Dividend Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading Virtus Global Dividend Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The fund has an investment objective of capital appreciation and current income.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock The tables below illustrate all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds. More information about these and other discounts, as well as eligibility requirements for each share class, is available from your financial advisor and under “Sales Charges” on page 193 of the fund’s prospectus and “Alternative Purchase Arrangements” on page 57 of the fund’s statement of additional information.
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 21% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 21.00%
Expenses Deferred Charges [Text Block] rr_ExpensesDeferredChargesTextBlock Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the Fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund and purchases on which a finder’s fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Virtus Mutual Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount 50,000
Expenses Restated to Reflect Current [Text] rr_ExpensesRestatedToReflectCurrent Restated to reflect current expenses.
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated. It shows your costs if you sold your shares at the end of the period or continued to hold them. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Investments, Risks and Performance

Principal Investment Strategies
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The fund invests globally in infrastructure companies involved in the energy, utility, transportation, and communications industries. Infrastructure companies are believed by the subadviser to exhibit attractive risk/return characteristics, offer moderate-to-high income and moderate growth, and are defensive in nature.

Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend paying equity securities of infrastructure companies that are located in three or more countries, one of which will be the United States. Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 25% of its assets in securities of U.S. issuers. As of September 30, 2012, the fund was invested in issuers representing approximately 13 different countries. Although the fund concentrates its investments in infrastructure companies, it may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of issuers that are not infrastructure companies, including stocks, debt obligations, money market securities and money market mutual funds, as well as certain derivative instruments. To the extent the fund purchases non-infrastructure stocks, they may be of issuers of any capitalization. When investing in debt obligations, the fund will invest primarily in investment grade debt obligations, although it may invest in high-yield, high-risk fixed income securities (junk bonds).
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend paying equity securities of infrastructure companies that are located in three or more countries, one of which will be the United States. Although the fund concentrates its investments in infrastructure companies, it may invest up to 20% of its assets in securities of issuers that are not infrastructure companies, including stocks, debt obligations, money market securities and money market mutual funds, as well as certain derivative instruments.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock The fund may not achieve its objective, and it is not intended to be a complete investment program. The value of the fund’s investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money. Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected, and investments may fail to perform as the adviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease. The principal risks of investing in the fund are:
  • Credit Risk. The risk that the issuer of a security will fail to pay interest or principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make such payments will cause the price of the security to decline.
  • Derivatives Risk. The risk that the fund will incur a loss greater than the fund’s investment in, or will experience greater share price volatility as a result of investing in, a derivative contract.
  • Equity Securities Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting issuers, industries or financial markets in which the fund invests will impact the value of the stocks held by the fund and thus, the value of the fund’s shares over short or extended periods. Investments in smaller companies may be more volatile than investments in larger companies.
  • Foreign Investing Risk. The risk that the prices of foreign securities in the fund’s portfolio will be more volatile than those of domestic securities, or will be negatively affected by economic, political or other developments.
  • High Yield-High Risk Fixed Income Securities (Junk Bonds) Risk. The risk that the issuers of high yield-high risk securities in the fund’s portfolio will default, that the prices of such securities will be volatile, and that the securities will not be liquid.
  • Income Risk. The risk that income received from the fund will vary widely over the short- and long-term.
  • Industry/Sector Concentration Risk. The risk that events negatively affecting infrastructure companies will cause the value of the fund’s shares to decrease, perhaps significantly. Since the fund concentrates its assets in infrastructure companies, the fund is more vulnerable to conditions that negatively affect infrastructure companies as compared to a fund that does not concentrate holdings in such companies.
  • Infrastructure-Related Investment Risk. The risk that the value of the fund’s shares will decrease as a result of conditions, such as general or local economic conditions and political developments, changes in regulations, environmental problems, casualty losses, and changes in interest rates, negatively affecting the infrastructure companies in which the fund invests.
  • Interest Rate Risk. The risk that when interest rates rise, the values of the fund’s debt securities, especially those with longer maturities, will fall.
  • Market Volatility Risk. The risk that the value of the securities in which the fund invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual companies and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods.
  • Master Limited Partnership (MLP) Risk. The risk that the fund’s investments in MLP units will be negatively impacted by tax law changes, regulatory developments or other factors affecting the MLPs.
  • Preferred Stock Risk. The risk that a preferred stock will decline in price, fail to pay dividends when expected, or be illiquid.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund’s investments decreases, you will lose money.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance Information
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the potential risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

The bar chart shows changes in the fund’s performance from year to year over the life of the fund. The table shows how the fund’s average annual returns compare to those of a broad-based securities market index and with a composite benchmark that reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests. Updated performance information is available at virtus.com or by calling 800-243-1574.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart shows changes in the fund’s performance from year to year over the life of the fund. The table shows how the fund’s average annual returns compare to those of a broad-based securities market index and with a composite benchmark that reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800-243-1574
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress virtus.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading Calendar year total returns for Class A Shares (includes returns of a predecessor fund)
Bar Chart Narrative [Text Block] rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock Returns do not reflect sales charges and would be lower if they did.

Annual Return (%)
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads Returns do not reflect sales charges and would be lower if they did.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

     
Best Quarter:    Q3/2010:    16.39% Worst Quarter:    Q3/2008:    -16.55%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended 12/31/12; includes returns of a predecessor fund)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown only for Class A Shares; after-tax returns for other classes will vary.
Performance Table Explanation after Tax Higher rr_PerformanceTableExplanationAfterTaxHigher In certain cases, the Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be higher than other return figures for the same period. This will occur when a capital loss is realized upon the sale of fund shares and provides an assumed tax benefit that increases the return.
Performance Table Narrative rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock Returns reflect deduction of maximum sales charges and full redemption at end of periods shown.
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock The S&P 500® Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies and is provided for general comparative purposes. The index is calculated on a total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The Global Dividend Linked Benchmark consists of the MSCI World Infrastructure Sector Capped Index for the period since September 1, 2008. This is a market capitalization weighted index that measures performance of global infrastructure companies by capturing broad and diversified opportunities across telecommunication, utilities, energy, transportation and social infrastructure sectors. The telecommunication infrastructure and utilities sector each represent one-third of the index weight, while energy, transportation and social infrastructure sectors have a combined weight of the remaining one-third of the index. Performance of the Global Dividend Linked Benchmark prior to September 1, 2008 represents an allocation consisting of 65% MSCI USA/Utilities Index, 20% MSCI World Telecom Services Index, and 15% MSCI World ex USA/Utilities Index. The indexes are unmanaged and not available for direct investment.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. After-tax returns are shown only for Class A Shares; after-tax returns for other classes will vary. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold fund shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. In certain cases, the Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be higher than other return figures for the same period. This will occur when a capital loss is realized upon the sale of fund shares and provides an assumed tax benefit that increases the return.
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [1]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.31% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 701
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 966
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,252
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,063
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 701
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 966
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,252
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,063
2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 5.52%
2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 28.00%
2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 21.54%
2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (31.02%)
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 16.16%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 8.35%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 10.16%
2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 11.17%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter:
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2010
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 16.39%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter:
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.55%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 4.78%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.04%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.41%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 30, 2004
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther 1.00% [3]
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.06% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 309
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 646
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,108
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,390
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 209
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 646
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,108
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,390
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 10.31%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 0.50%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.41%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Dec. 30, 2004
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Class I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser of purchase price or redemption proceeds) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOther none
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.65%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41% [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.06% [2]
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 108
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 337
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 585
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,294
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 108
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 337
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 585
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 1,294
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 11.45%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05   
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.69%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Jun. 06, 2008
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.99%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.46%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.79%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.29%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (0.10%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 5.46%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 16.00%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.66%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.23%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.23%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.32%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Global Dividend Linked Benchmark (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 6.65%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 (1.08%)
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Global Dividend Linked Benchmark (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.09%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Global Dividend Linked Benchmark (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 6.09%
Virtus Global Dividend Fund | Global Dividend Linked Benchmark (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | Class I
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (0.20%)
[1] Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the Fund when redeemed; however, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed on certain redemptions within 18 months on exchanges from a Virtus non-money market fund into a Virtus money market fund and purchases on which a finder's fee has been paid. The 18-month period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.
[2] Restated to reflect current expenses.
[3] The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.