Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 22, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Rental properties, net	$ 1,815,935		$ 2,020,191
Rental properties held for sale, net	4,696		6,432
Land held for development	184,457		184,457
Property under development	19,856		5,967
Mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable, net	311,439		305,404
Investment in a direct financing lease, net	231,099		226,433
Investment in joint ventures	24,138		22,010
Cash and cash equivalents	15,740		11,776	20,144	23,138
Restricted cash	34,120		16,279
Intangible assets, net	5,330		35,644
Deferred financing costs, net	17,781		20,371
Accounts receivable, net	34,983		39,814
Notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable, net	5,079		5,127
Other assets	25,063		23,515
Total assets	2,729,716		2,923,420
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	49,982		56,488
Dividends payable	40,212		37,804
Unearned rents and interest	10,055		6,691
Long-term debt	1,048,122	250,000	1,191,179
Total liabilities	1,148,371		1,292,162
Entertainment Properties Trust shareholders' equity	1,553,324		1,603,239
Noncontrolling interests	28,021		28,019
Total equity	1,581,345		1,631,258
Total liabilities and equity	2,729,716		2,923,420
Entertainment Properties Trust (Issuer) [Member]
Investment in joint ventures	19,936		19,159
Cash and cash equivalents	2,702		3,356	7,607	13,565
Restricted cash			25
Deferred financing costs, net	9,710		9,576
Accounts receivable, net	185		110
Intercompany notes receivable	98,224		227,141
Notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable, net	171		168
Investments in subsidiaries	1,721,097		1,634,257
Other assets	14,945		15,887
Total assets	1,866,970		1,909,679
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	23,434		18,636
Dividends payable	40,212		37,804
Long-term debt	250,000		250,000
Total liabilities	313,646		306,440
Entertainment Properties Trust shareholders' equity	1,553,324		1,603,239
Total equity	1,553,324		1,603,239
Total liabilities and equity	1,866,970		1,909,679
Wholly Owned Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]
Rental properties, net	635,162		807,891
Property under development	10,329
Mortgage notes and related accrued interest receivable, net	311,439		305,404
Investment in a direct financing lease, net	231,099		226,433
Cash and cash equivalents	856		1,116	4,131	107
Restricted cash	26,641		7,287
Intangible assets, net			29,829
Deferred financing costs, net	4,684		5,011
Accounts receivable, net	5,313		9,067
Other assets	3,084		3,625
Total assets	1,228,607		1,395,663
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	17,167		26,251
Unearned rents and interest	8,331		5,079
Intercompany notes payable			132,067
Long-term debt	90,000		142,000
Total liabilities	115,498		305,397
Entertainment Properties Trust shareholders' equity	1,113,109		1,090,266
Total equity	1,113,109		1,090,266
Total liabilities and equity	1,228,607		1,395,663
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Rental properties, net	1,180,773		1,212,300
Rental properties held for sale, net	4,696		6,432
Land held for development	184,457		184,457
Property under development	9,527		5,967
Investment in joint ventures	4,202		2,851
Cash and cash equivalents	12,182		7,304	8,406	9,466
Restricted cash	7,479		8,967
Intangible assets, net	5,330		5,815
Deferred financing costs, net	3,387		5,784
Accounts receivable, net	29,485		30,637
Intercompany notes receivable	31,058		28,649
Notes receivable and related accrued interest receivable, net	4,908		4,959
Other assets	7,034		4,003
Total assets	1,484,518		1,508,125
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	9,381		11,601
Unearned rents and interest	1,724		1,612
Intercompany notes payable	129,282		123,723
Long-term debt	708,122		799,179
Total liabilities	848,509		936,115
Entertainment Properties Trust shareholders' equity	607,988		543,991
Noncontrolling interests	28,021		28,019
Total equity	636,009		572,010
Total liabilities and equity	1,484,518		1,508,125
Consolidated Elimination [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents	15,740		11,776	20,144	23,138
Intercompany notes receivable	(129,282)		(255,790)
Investments in subsidiaries	(1,721,097)		(1,634,257)
Total assets	(1,850,379)		(1,890,047)
Intercompany notes payable	(129,282)		(255,790)
Total liabilities	(129,282)		(255,790)
Entertainment Properties Trust shareholders' equity	(1,721,097)		(1,634,257)
Total equity	(1,721,097)		(1,634,257)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (1,850,379)		$ (1,890,047)