Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 93,778	$ 76,740
Tenant reimbursements	3,865	4,303
Other income	1,210	550
Mortgage and other financing income	19,915	17,843
Total revenue	118,768	99,436
Property operating expense	5,481	6,357
Other expense	5	102
Total investment expenses	5,486	6,459
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	113,282	92,977
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(9,218)	(7,682)
Retirement severance expense	0	(18,578)
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(552)	0
Interest expense, net	(23,289)	(18,587)
Transaction costs	(444)	(1,606)
Depreciation and amortization	(25,955)	(19,355)
Equity in income from joint ventures	212	164
Gain on sale of real estate		23,924
Income tax benefit (expense)	144	(8,426)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	10
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	54,180	42,821
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(5,952)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	48,228	36,869
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	60,138	59,941
Tenant reimbursements	3,863	4,326
Other income	4	3
Mortgage and other financing income	2,152	1,782
Total revenue	66,157	66,052
Property operating expense	5,252	6,294
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	5,252	6,294
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	60,905	59,758
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	17,180	10,094
Tenant reimbursements	2	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	10,731	7,783
Total revenue	27,913	17,877
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	27,913	17,877
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	14,696	6,705
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	489	0
Mortgage and other financing income	6,998	8,181
Total revenue	22,183	14,886
Property operating expense	8	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	8	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	22,175	14,886
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	1,764	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	(23)
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	34	97
Total revenue	1,798	74
Property operating expense	83	63
Other expense	5	102
Total investment expenses	88	165
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,710	(91)
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	717	547
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0
Total revenue	717	547
Property operating expense	138	0
Other expense	0	0
Total investment expenses	138	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 579	$ 547