Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 61,049	$ 56,849	$ 178,543	$ 168,255
Tenant reimbursements	4,608	4,419	13,794	13,596
Other income	203	165	336	320
Mortgage and other financing income	16,976	14,541	46,952	41,803
Total revenue	82,836	75,974	239,625	223,974
Property operating expense	5,939	5,955	17,358	18,724
Other expense	526	597	1,442	1,754
Total investment expenses	6,465	6,552	18,800	20,478
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	76,371	69,422	220,825	203,496
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(5,486)	(4,555)	(17,774)	(15,127)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	(477)	0	(477)	(5,339)
Interest expense, net	(19,994)	(17,911)	(56,594)	(53,943)
Transaction costs	(184)	(145)	(373)	(1,494)
Impairment charges	(3,086)	0	(11,281)	(24,298)
Depreciation and amortization	13,276	11,861	38,349	35,316
Equity in income from joint ventures	342	676	666	2,231
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	35	79	332	(538)
Impairment charges	0	0	(4,648)	(11,758)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	0	0	(1,049)
Gain on sale or acquisition of real estate	0	16	720	18,309
Net income	34,175	35,563	92,383	77,299
Add: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(24)	(11)	(61)	(13)
Preferred dividend requirements	(6,002)	(7,034)	(18,005)	(22,138)
Series B preferred share redemption costs	0	(2,769)	0	(2,769)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders of Entertainment Properties Trust	28,149	25,749	74,317	52,379
Entertainment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	56,025	54,368	165,620	161,411
Tenant reimbursements	4,608	4,419	13,794	13,596
Other income	25	24	71	90
Mortgage and other financing income	1,427	81	2,373	242
Total revenue	62,085	58,892	181,858	175,339
Property operating expense	5,801	5,736	17,238	18,026
Other expense	4	0	4	0
Total investment expenses	5,805	5,736	17,242	18,026
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	56,280	53,156	164,616	157,313
Education
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,602	332	5,742	487
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,563	7,352	22,406	21,366
Total revenue	10,165	7,684	28,148	21,853
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	10,165	7,684	28,148	21,853
Recreation
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	797	318	2,114	954
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,968	7,010	22,016	19,866
Total revenue	8,765	7,328	24,130	20,820
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	8,765	7,328	24,130	20,820
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,625	1,831	5,067	5,403
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	178	141	265	230
Mortgage and other financing income	18	72	157	253
Total revenue	1,821	2,044	5,489	5,886
Property operating expense	138	219	120	698
Other expense	321	421	978	1,005
Total investment expenses	459	640	1,098	1,703
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,362	1,404	4,391	4,183
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	26	0	76
Total revenue	0	26	0	76
Property operating expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense	201	176	460	749
Total investment expenses	201	176	460	749
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ (201)	$ (150)	$ (460)	$ (673)