Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 58,283	$ 55,382
Tenant reimbursements	4,822	4,661
Other income	25	24
Mortgage and other financing income	14,741	13,551
Total revenue	77,871	73,618
Property operating expense	6,174	6,166
Other expense	542	493
Total investment expenses	6,716	6,659
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	71,155	66,959
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	6,467	5,468
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	6,163
Interest expense, net	18,141	18,824
Transaction costs	158	1,273
Impairment charges	12,042	0
Depreciation and amortization	12,457	11,871
Equity in income from joint ventures	47	774
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(28)	1,331
Impairment charges	(801)	(1,800)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	(225)
Gain on sale or acquisition of real estate	282	18,293
Net income	21,390	41,733
Add: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18)	(2)
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,001)	(7,552)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of Entertainment Properties Trust	15,371	34,179
Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	54,561	53,233
Tenant reimbursements	4,822	4,661
Other income	24	23
Mortgage and other financing income	447	81
Total revenue	59,854	57,998
Property operating expense	6,005	6,013
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	6,005	6,013
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	53,849	51,985
Education
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,420	12
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,295	6,951
Total revenue	8,715	6,963
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	8,715	6,963
Recreation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	519	318
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	6,906	6,375
Total revenue	7,425	6,693
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	7,425	6,693
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,783	1,819
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	1	1
Mortgage and other financing income	93	144
Total revenue	1,877	1,964
Property operating expense	169	153
Other expense	375	257
Total investment expenses	544	410
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,333	1,554
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	167	236
Total investment expenses	167	236
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ (167)	$ (236)