Segment Information Operating Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 74,410	$ 62,209	$ 210,759	$ 182,758
Tenant reimbursements	4,486	4,552	13,355	13,748
Other income	345	1,441	706	1,538
Mortgage and other financing income	19,497	19,639	55,561	55,670
Total revenue	98,738	87,841	280,381	253,714
Property operating expense	5,948	6,579	17,936	19,604
Other expense	248	204	566	508
Total investment expenses	6,196	6,783	18,502	20,112
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	92,542	81,058	261,879	233,602
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(6,719)	(6,764)	(21,260)	(19,468)
Costs associated with loan refinancing or payoff	0	223	0	6,166
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	0	0	4,539
Interest expense, net	(20,801)	(20,435)	(61,254)	(60,424)
Transaction costs	(369)	(317)	(1,321)	(859)
Provision for loan loss	3,777	0	3,777	0
Depreciation and amortization	(17,421)	(13,141)	(48,750)	(39,140)
Equity in income from joint ventures	300	351	878	1,168
Gain on sale of land	0	0	330	0
Gain on sale of investment in a direct financing lease	0	0	220	0
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(1,047)	0	(3,332)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	3	195	(8)	(198)
Transaction (costs) benefit	0	0	3,376	0
Gain on sale of real estate	0	3,168	0	3,733
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	42,705	43,502	126,997	117,183
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(5,951)	(17,856)	(17,855)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	36,753	37,551	109,141	99,328
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	60,616	54,800	176,940	164,305
Tenant reimbursements	4,486	4,552	13,355	13,748
Other income	5	29	(7)	77
Mortgage and other financing income	1,789	2,258	5,279	6,685
Total revenue	66,896	61,639	195,567	184,815
Property operating expense	5,759	6,365	17,413	19,341
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total investment expenses	5,759	6,365	17,413	19,341
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	61,137	55,274	178,154	165,474
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	7,490	4,422	18,486	10,732
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	7,561	8,507	23,779	24,609
Total revenue	15,051	12,929	42,265	35,341
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	15,051	12,929	42,265	35,341
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	6,069	2,682	14,528	6,373
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	0	0	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	10,050	8,807	26,212	24,151
Total revenue	16,119	11,489	40,740	30,524
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	16,119	11,489	40,740	30,524
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	235	305	805	1,348
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	191	1,373	284	1,451
Mortgage and other financing income	97	67	291	225
Total revenue	523	1,745	1,380	3,024
Property operating expense	189	214	523	263
Other expense	248	204	566	508
Total investment expenses	437	418	1,089	771
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	86	1,327	291	2,253
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0	0	0
Other income	149	39	429	10
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	149	39	429	10
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	$ 149	$ 39	$ 429	$ 10