Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 69,918	$ 60,160	$ 136,349	$ 120,548
Tenant reimbursements	4,281	4,452	8,869	9,196
Other income	187	104	361	128
Mortgage and other financing income	17,401	18,236	36,064	36,031
Total revenue	91,787	82,952	181,643	165,903
Property operating expense	5,539	5,990	11,988	13,025
Other expense	219	187	318	336
Total investment expenses	5,758	6,177	12,306	13,361
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	86,029	76,775	169,337	152,542
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(7,079)	(6,051)	(14,541)	(12,703)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	5,943	0	5,943
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	0	0	4,539
Interest expense, net	(20,555)	(20,000)	(40,453)	(39,989)
Transaction costs	(756)	(224)	(952)	(542)
Depreciation and amortization	(16,002)	(13,176)	(31,329)	(25,998)
Equity in income from joint ventures	267	466	578	817
Gain on sale of land	0	0	330	0
Gain on sale of investment in a direct financing lease	220	0	220	0
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(1,360)	0	(2,285)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	4	(629)	(11)	(394)
Transaction (costs) benefit	0	0	3,376	0
Gain on sale of real estate	0	0	0	565
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	40,760	32,476	84,292	73,682
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(5,952)	(11,904)	(11,904)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	34,808	26,524	72,388	61,778
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	59,502	54,522	116,324	109,504
Tenant reimbursements	4,281	4,452	8,869	9,196
Other income	(12)	24	(12)	47
Mortgage and other financing income	1,768	2,223	3,490	4,427
Total revenue	65,539	61,221	128,671	123,174
Property operating expense	5,381	5,840	11,654	12,976
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	5,381	5,840	11,654	12,976
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	60,158	55,381	117,017	110,198
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	5,519	3,152	10,996	6,310
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,440	8,145	16,218	16,102
Total revenue	12,959	11,297	27,214	22,412
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	12,959	11,297	27,214	22,412
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	4,612	1,782	8,459	3,691
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	8,096	7,789	16,162	15,344
Total revenue	12,708	9,571	24,621	19,035
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	12,708	9,571	24,621	19,035
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	285	704	570	1,043
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	92	77	93	78
Mortgage and other financing income	97	79	194	158
Total revenue	474	860	857	1,279
Property operating expense	158	150	334	49
Other expense	219	208	318	305
Total investment expenses	377	358	652	354
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	97	502	205	925
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	107	3	280	3
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	107	3	280	3
Property operating expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense	0	(21)	0	31
Total investment expenses	0	(21)	0	31
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 107	$ 24	$ 280	$ (28)