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Label Element Value
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading

Delaware REIT Fund
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading

What are the Fund's investment objectives?
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Delaware REIT Fund seeks maximum long-term total return, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading

What are the Fund's fees and expenses?
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales-charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Delaware Investments® Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor, in the Fund’s prospectus under the section entitled "About your account," and in the Fund’s statement of additional information under the section entitled "Purchasing Shares."
Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination

Feb. 27, 2015
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 101% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 101.00%
Expense Breakpoint Discounts [Text] rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts

You may qualify for sales-charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in Delaware Investments® Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial advisor, in the Fund's prospectus under the section entitled "About your account," and in the Fund's statement of additional information under the section entitled "Purchasing Shares."
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required [Amount] rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount $ 50,000
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and reflects the applicable Distributor’s expense waiver for the 1-year contractual period and the total operating expenses without waivers for years 2 through 10. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading

What are the Fund's principal investment strategies?
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

The Fund invests primarily in securities of companies that are principally engaged in the real estate industry. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in real estate investment trusts (REITs) (80% policy).

 

In managing the Fund’s portfolio, we strive to include REITs that represent a variety of different sectors in the real estate industry. As we consider individual REITs for the portfolio, we carefully evaluate each REIT’s management team. We generally look for those that:

 

·retain a substantial portion of the properties’ cash flow;

 

·effectively use capital to expand;

 

·have a strong ability to raise rents; and

 

·can create a franchise value for the REIT.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration [Text] rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in real estate investment trusts (REITs) (80% policy).
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading

What are the principal risks of investing in the Fund?
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

Investing in any mutual fund involves the risk that you may lose part or all of the money you invest. Over time, the value of your investment in the Fund will increase and decrease according to changes in the value of the securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Principal risks include:

 

Investments not guaranteed by Delaware Management Company (Manager) or its affiliates  — Investments in the Fund are not and will not be deposits with or liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 and its holding companies, including their subsidiaries or related companies (Macquarie Group), and are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and capital invested. No Macquarie Group company guarantees or will guarantee the performance of the Fund, the repayment of capital from the Fund, or any particular rate of return.

 

Market risk  — The risk that all or a majority of the securities in a certain market — such as the stock or bond market — will decline in value because of factors such as adverse political or economic conditions, future expectations, investor confidence, or heavy institutional selling.

 

Real estate industry risk  — This risk includes, among others: possible declines in the value of real estate; risks related to general and local economic conditions; possible lack of availability of mortgage funds; overbuilding; extended vacancies of properties; increases in competition, property taxes, and operating expenses; changes in zoning laws; costs resulting from the cleanup of, and liability to third parties resulting from, environmental problems; casualty for condemnation losses; uninsured damages from floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters; limitations on and variations in rents; and changes in interest rates.

 

Interest rate risk  — The risk that securities will decrease in value if interest rates rise. The risk is generally associated with bonds; however, because small- and medium-sized companies and companies in the real estate sector often borrow money to finance their operations, they may be adversely affected by rising interest rates.

 

Foreign risk  — The risk that foreign securities (particularly in emerging markets) may be adversely affected by political instability; changes in currency exchange rates; inefficient markets and higher transaction costs; foreign economic conditions; or inadequate or different regulatory and accounting standards.

 

Foreign government/supranational risk — The risk that a foreign government or government-related issuer may be unable to make timely payments on its external debt obligations.

 

Currency risk  — The risk that the value of a portfolio’s investments may be negatively affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Nondiversification risk  — A nondiversified fund has the flexibility to invest as much as 50% of its assets in as few as two issuers with no single issuer accounting for more than 25% of the fund. The remaining 50% of its assets must be diversified so that no more than 5% of its assets are invested in the securities of a single issuer. Because a nondiversified fund may invest its assets in fewer issuers, the value of its shares may increase or decrease more rapidly than if it were fully diversified.

 

Derivatives risk  — Derivative contracts, such as options and futures, may involve additional expenses (such as the payment of premiums) and are subject to significant loss if a security or a securities index to which a derivative contract is associated moves in the opposite direction from what the portfolio manager anticipated. Derivative contracts are also subject to the risk that the counterparty may fail to perform its obligations under the contract due to financial difficulties (such as a bankruptcy or reorganization).

 

Prepayment risk  — The risk that the principal on a bond that is held by a portfolio will be prepaid prior to maturity at a time when interest rates are lower than what that bond was paying. A portfolio may then have to reinvest that money at a lower interest rate.

 

Liquidity risk  — The possibility that securities cannot be readily sold within seven days at approximately the price at which a portfolio has valued them.

 

Government and regulatory risk  — The risk that governments or regulatory authorities have, from time to time, taken or considered actions that could adversely affect various sectors of the securities markets and significantly impact fund performance.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney

Investing in any mutual fund involves the risk that you may lose part or all of the money you invest.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus

A nondiversified fund has the flexibility to invest as much as 50% of its assets in as few as two issuers with no single issuer accounting for more than 25% of the fund. The remaining 50% of its assets must be diversified so that no more than 5% of its assets are invested in the securities of a single issuer. Because a nondiversified fund may invest its assets in fewer issuers, the value of its shares may increase or decrease more rapidly than if it were fully diversified.
Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Text] rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution

Investments in the Fund are not and will not be deposits with or liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 and its holding companies, including their subsidiaries or related companies (Macquarie Group), and are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and capital invested. No Macquarie Group company guarantees or will guarantee the performance of the Fund, the repayment of capital from the Fund, or any particular rate of return.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

How has Delaware REIT Fund performed?
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual total returns for the 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. The returns reflect any expense caps in effect during these periods. The returns would be lower without the expense caps. You may obtain the Fund's most recently available month-end performance by calling 800 523-1918 or by visiting our website at delawareinvestments.com/performance.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for the 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone

800 523-1918
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress

delawareinvestments.com/performance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture

The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading

Year-by-year total return (Class A)
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

During the periods illustrated in this bar chart, Class A’s highest quarterly return was 30.00% for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2009 and its lowest quarterly return was -36.92% for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008. The maximum Class A sales charge of 5.75%, which is normally deducted when you purchase shares, is not reflected in the highest/lowest quarterly returns or in the bar chart. If this sales charge were included, the returns would be less than those shown. The average annual total returns in the table below do include the sales charge.
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel

highest quarterly return
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 30.00%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel

lowest quarterly return
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (36.92%)
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading

Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2013 
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes

reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate

The after-tax returns shown are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect during the periods presented and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred

After-tax returns are not relevant for shares held in tax-deferred investment vehicles such as employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
Performance Table Closing [Text Block] rr_PerformanceTableClosingTextBlock

After-tax performance is presented only for Class A shares of the Fund. The after-tax returns for other Fund classes may vary. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor’s individual tax situation and may differ from the returns shown. After-tax returns are not relevant for shares held in tax-deferred investment vehicles such as employer-sponsored 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). The after-tax returns shown are calculated using the highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect during the periods presented and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.31%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.31%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 701
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 966
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,252
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,063
Annual Return 2004 rr_AnnualReturn2004 31.04%
Annual Return 2005 rr_AnnualReturn2005 6.52%
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 32.38%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (14.19%)
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (35.85%)
Annual Return 2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 22.85%
Annual Return 2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 26.35%
Annual Return 2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 10.09%
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 16.41%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 1.70%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.17%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 13.79%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.85%
Class B
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 4.00% [1]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.06%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.75%) [2]
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.31%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 533
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 848
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,264
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,136
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 133
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 573
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,039
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,136
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.82%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.02%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.83%
Class C
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00% [1]
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.06%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 2.06%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 309
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 646
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,108
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,390
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 209
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 646
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,108
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 2,390
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.04%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.26%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.68%
Class R
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.56%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.56%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 159
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 493
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 850
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,856
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.44%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 14.81%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.19%
Institutional Class
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (as a percentage of Offering Price) rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management Fees (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses (as a percentage of Assets): rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.31%
Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.06%
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none
Net Expenses (as a percentage of Assets) rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.06%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 108
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 337
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 585
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,294
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.88%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 15.42%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.75%
FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.47%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 16.50%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 8.42%
Return after taxes on distributions | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.66%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 12.79%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.79%
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Portfolio shares | Class A
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (1.74%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.67%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 5.52%
[1] If you redeem Class B shares during the first year after you buy them, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 4.00%, which declines to 3.25% during the second year, 2.75% during the third year, 2.25% during the fourth and fifth years, 1.50% during the sixth year, and 0% thereafter. Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% CDSC.
[2] The Fund's distributor, Delaware Distributors, L.P. (Distributor), has contracted to limit the Class B shares' 12b-1 fee to no more than 0.25% of its average daily net assets from Oct. 1, 2013, through Feb. 27, 2015. The waiver may only be terminated by agreement of the Distributor and the Fund.