Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 59,211	$ 56,024	$ 117,494	$ 111,406
Tenant reimbursements	4,365	4,515	9,186	9,176
Other income	107	131	133	155
Mortgage and other financing income	15,256	13,747	29,976	27,262
Total revenue	78,939	74,417	156,789	147,999
Property operating expense	5,245	6,579	11,419	12,769
Other expense	431	677	916	1,157
Total investment expenses	5,676	7,256	12,335	13,926
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	73,263	67,161	144,454	134,073
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(5,821)	(5,105)	(12,288)	(10,573)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	0	0	(5,339)
Interest expense, net	(18,459)	(17,287)	(36,600)	(36,031)
Transaction costs	(31)	(76)	(189)	(1,349)
Impairment charges	0	(24,298)	(8,195)	(24,298)
Depreciation and amortization	12,791	11,782	25,073	23,455
Equity in income from joint ventures	278	781	324	1,555
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	59	(566)	297	(1,666)
Impairment charges	0	(9,958)	(4,648)	(11,758)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	0	0	(1,049)
Gain on sale or acquisition of real estate	438	0	720	18,293
Net income	36,818	2	58,208	41,735
Add: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(19)	0	(37)	(2)
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,002)	(7,551)	(12,003)	(15,103)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of Entertainment Properties Trust	30,797	(7,549)	46,168	26,630
Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	55,034	53,811	109,595	107,043
Tenant reimbursements	4,365	4,515	9,186	9,176
Other income	21	44	46	66
Mortgage and other financing income	498	81	945	162
Total revenue	59,918	58,451	119,772	116,447
Property operating expense	5,432	6,277	11,437	12,290
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	5,432	6,277	11,437	12,290
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	54,486	52,174	108,335	104,157
Education
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,720	144	3,141	156
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,548	7,062	14,843	14,013
Total revenue	9,268	7,206	17,984	14,169
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	9,268	7,206	17,984	14,169
Recreation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	797	318	1,316	636
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,143	6,481	14,049	12,857
Total revenue	7,940	6,799	15,365	13,493
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	7,940	6,799	15,365	13,493
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,660	1,751	3,442	3,571
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	86	87	87	89
Mortgage and other financing income	67	73	139	180
Total revenue	1,813	1,911	3,668	3,840
Property operating expense	(187)	302	(18)	479
Other expense	339	339	657	585
Total investment expenses	152	641	639	1,064
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,661	1,270	3,029	2,776
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	50	0	50
Total revenue	0	50	0	50
Property operating expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense	92	338	259	572
Total investment expenses	92	338	259	572
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ (92)	$ (288)	$ (259)	$ (522)