Segment Information Operating Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	$ 107,037	$ 93,778
Tenant reimbursements	3,749	3,865
Other income	692	1,210
Mortgage and other financing income	17,634	19,915
Total revenue	129,112	118,768
Property operating expense	6,350	5,481
Other expense	0	5
Total investment expenses	6,350	5,486
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	122,762	113,282
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:
General and administrative expense	(11,057)	(9,218)
Costs associated with loan refinancing	(5)	(552)
Interest expense, net	(30,692)	(23,289)
Transaction costs	(57)	(444)
Depreciation and amortization	(28,077)	(25,955)
Equity in (loss) income from joint ventures	(8)	212
Gain on sale of real estate	2,004	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	(954)	144
Net income attributable to EPR Properties	53,916	54,180
Preferred dividend requirements	(5,952)	(5,952)
Net income available to common shareholders of EPR Properties	47,964	48,228
Entertainment Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	65,091	60,138
Tenant reimbursements	3,749	3,863
Other income	6	4
Mortgage and other financing income	1,179	2,152
Total revenue	70,025	66,157
Property operating expense	5,835	5,252
Other expense		0
Total investment expenses	5,835	5,252
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	64,190	60,905
Education Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	22,357	17,180
Tenant reimbursements	0	2
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	8,549	10,731
Total revenue	30,906	27,913
Property operating expense	0	0
Other expense		0
Total investment expenses	0	0
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	30,906	27,913
Recreation Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	17,299	14,696
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	489
Mortgage and other financing income	7,906	6,998
Total revenue	25,205	22,183
Property operating expense	28	8
Other expense		0
Total investment expenses	28	8
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	25,177	22,175
Other Reportable Operating Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	2,290	1,764
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	0	0
Mortgage and other financing income	0	34
Total revenue	2,290	1,798
Property operating expense	340	83
Other expense		5
Total investment expenses	340	88
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	1,950	1,710
Corporate / Unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenue	0	0
Tenant reimbursements	0	0
Other income	686	717
Mortgage and other financing income	0	0
Total revenue	686	717
Property operating expense	147	138
Other expense		0
Total investment expenses	147	138
Net Operating Income - Before Unallocated Items	$ 539	$ 579