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Label Element Value
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return, Heading rr_RiskReturnHeading

Delaware REIT Fund
Investment Objective, Heading rr_ObjectiveHeading

What are the Fund's investment objectives?
Investment Objective, Primary 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 rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

The table below 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 intermediary, in the Fund's prospectus under the section entitled "About your account," and in the Fund's statement of additional information (SAI) under the section entitled "Purchasing Shares."
Shareholder Fees, Caption rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses, Caption rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover, Heading rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover 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 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 67% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 67.00%
Expense Breakpoint, Discounts 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 intermediary, in the Fund's prospectus under the section entitled "About your account," and in the Fund's statement of additional information (SAI) 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 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 that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Investment Strategy, Heading rr_StrategyHeading

What are the Fund's principal investment strategies?
Investment Strategy, Narrative 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 the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in real estate investment trusts (REITs) (80% policy).

In managing the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's investment manager, Delaware Management Company (Manager), strives to include REITs that represent a variety of different sectors in the real estate industry. As the Manager considers individual REITs for the portfolio, it carefully evaluates each REIT's management team. The Manager generally looks 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.

The Fund's 80% policy is nonfundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval. Fund shareholders would be given at least 60 days' notice prior to any such change.
Strategy Portfolio Concentration rr_StrategyPortfolioConcentration
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of 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 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:

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; the imposition of economic or trade sanctions; 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.

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 affect fund performance.

Investments not guaranteed by Delaware Management Company (Manager) or its affiliates  — Neither the Manager nor its affiliates noted in this document are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL). MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise.
Risk, Lose Money rr_RiskLoseMoney
Investing in any mutual fund involves the risk that you may lose part or all of the money you invest.
Risk, Not Insured Depository Institution rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution
Neither the Manager nor its affiliates noted in this document are authorized deposit-taking institutions for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL). MBL does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these entities, unless noted otherwise.
Bar Chart and Performance Table, Heading rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

How has Delaware REIT Fund performed?
Performance, Narrative 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 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 rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone
800 523-1918
Performance Availability Website Address rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress
delawareinvestments.com/performance
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future 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 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 fee 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, 2015 
Performance Table, Does Reflect Sales Loads rr_PerformanceTableDoesReflectSalesLoads
The average annual total returns in the table below do include the sales charge.
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 One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown
After-tax performance is presented only for Class A shares of the Fund.
Performance Table, Closing 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.
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes
reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.20%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.96%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.41%
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | CLASS A  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases as apercentage of offering price rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice 5.75%
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (load) as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption price, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.32%
Total annual portfolio operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.32%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 702
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 969
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,257
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 2,074
Annual Return 2006 rr_AnnualReturn2006 32.38%
Annual Return 2007 rr_AnnualReturn2007 (14.19%)
Annual Return 2008 rr_AnnualReturn2008 (35.86%)
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%
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 28.87%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 3.18%
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.75%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.31%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.33%
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | CLASS A | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (5.93%)
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 8.57%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.12%
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | CLASS A | After Taxes on Distributions and sale of Fund shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.15%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 7.70%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 4.60%
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | CLASS C  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases as apercentage of offering price rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (load) as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption price, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice 1.00% [1]
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 1.00%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.32%
Total annual portfolio operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 2.07%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 310
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 649
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 1,114
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 2,400
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01 210
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03 649
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05 1,114
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10 $ 2,400
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 1.49%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.80%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.16%
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | CLASS R  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases as apercentage of offering price rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (load) as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption price, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.50%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.32%
Total annual portfolio operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.57%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 160
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 496
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 855
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,867
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 2.87%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.34%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 6.69%
Alternative / Specialty Mutual Fund | Delaware REIT Fund | INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases as apercentage of offering price rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice none
Maximum contingent deferred sales charge (load) as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption price, whichever is lower rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice none
Management fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.75%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.32%
Total annual portfolio operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.07%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 109
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 340
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 590
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,306
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 3.47%
5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 11.90%
10 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 7.22%
[1] Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase are subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).