Phuket Fantasea vs Carnival Magic

Q: Which is more budget-friendly?

Fantasea generally starts lower (adult show-only around **THB 1,800**), while Carnival Magic’s show-only is **THB 2,900** per official pricing. Bundles and transfers change totals; compare inclusions.

Q: Which is better for kids?

Both are family-friendly. Younger kids often love **Carnival Magic’s** glowing **Kingdom of Lights** and parade; school-age kids may also enjoy **Fantasea’s** acrobatics and costumes.

Q: How far is Fantasea from Patong?

About **9 km** (roughly **12 minutes** by car in normal traffic). Count extra time around show hours.

Q: What if I only have time for one?

Choose **Fantasea** if you want a longer, story-driven stage show with buffet dinner. Choose **Carnival Magic** if you prefer a shorter parade show plus lots of illuminated photo spots.

Q: Are both open every day?

No. Both typically close on some **Wednesdays** and operate selected dates; always check the official calendars before you book.

Q: How long do you need at each?

Plan **3–4 hours** including dinner, pre-show wandering, and the performance (70 minutes at Fantasea; 45 minutes at Carnival Magic).

Quick comparison – Phuket Fantasea vs Carnival Magic

Feature	Phuket Fantasea	Carnival Magic
Location	Kamala, Phuket (adjacent to Kamala Beach)	Kamala, Phuket (next to Fantasea)
Price (adult)	Show-only from THB 1,800; show + buffet from THB 2,200; transfers extra. Pricing varies by seat/option.	Show-only THB 2,900; Show + Buffet THB 3,700; with transfers THB 3,200-4,000; kids discounted.
What is it?	Cultural theme park with shopping village, Golden Kinnaree buffet, and the Fantasy of a Kingdom stage show.	“Thai Carnival Theme Park” with River Carnival parade show and the illuminated Kingdom of Lights zone.
Built / Age	Long-running Phuket classic (Palace of the Elephants theater)	Opened recently as a sister park to Fantasea
Main show & length	Fantasy of a Kingdom ~70 minutes.	River Carnival ~45 minutes.
Timings	Park usually opens 17:30–23:30; shows commonly 21:00 (additional earlier show on select dates). Closed some Wednesdays.	Park opens 17:30-23:30; parade at 20:30 (times vary by date). Closed some Wednesdays.
Duration needed	3–4 hours (dinner + show + village stroll)	3–4 hours (lights zone + dinner + parade)
Queues / Waits	Moderate at theater entry and buffet seating on busy nights	Moderate–high at photo ops, Kingdom of Lights, and theater doors
Best time to visit	Dry season evenings; arrive early if dining	Dry season evenings; arrive early for photos in Kingdom of Lights
Accessibility	Step-free routes available; check onsite for assistance	Step-free access; accessibility services available on request.
Kid-friendly	Yes-animal motifs, village games, large buffet	Yes—glow gardens, parade floats, family-friendly theming
Highlights	Palace of the Elephants show, Golden Kinnaree Buffet, shopping village	River Palace Theater parade, Kingdom of Lights, Carnival-themed dining
Dining options	Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant (huge capacity) and snacks.	Buffet Dinner option (with ticket) plus snacks; multiple ticket bundles.
Nearby attractions	Kamala Beach; short drive to Patong (≈9 km/12 min).	Same (parks sit side-by-side in Kamala)

Verdict – Which should you visit?

Short on time or want classic Phuket dinner-and-show? Choose Phuket Fantasea for its grand 70-minute production and famous Golden Kinnaree buffet.

Prefer a newer, neon-lit carnival vibe with a parade and glowing photo spots? Pick Carnival Magic. Have an extra evening?

Do both on separate nights - they’re neighbors in Kamala.

See both - two different nights, one easy plan

Book Fantasea for a cultural stage spectacular and Carnival Magic for the light-soaked parade and photo scenes. Staying in Patong or Kata? Add transfers for a smooth evening.

Book now!

Major differences between Phuket Fantasea and Carnival Magic explained

History & concept

Phuket Fantasea is Phuket’s long-standing cultural theme park built around a large-scale theatrical show and massive buffet restaurant.

Carnival Magic is the newer “Thai Carnival” park next door, anchored by a parade-style spectacle and a glowing lights park.

Shows & theaters

Fantasea’s Fantasy of a Kingdom plays in the Palace of the Elephants for about 70 minutes, mixing Thai myth and acrobatics.

Carnival Magic’s River Carnival is a 45-minute parade-style show in the River Palace Theater.

Atmosphere & visuals

Fantasea feels like a classic dinner-and-show night with Thai architectural motifs and market-style avenues.

Carnival Magic amps up color and LEDs ; its Kingdom of Lights creates a glow-in-the-dark stroll with giant illuminated sets.

Dining

Fantasea’s Golden Kinnaree Buffet is famous for scale and variety, often bundled with tickets.

Carnival Magic offers a buffet dinner ticket category plus snack stands; many visitors eat before wandering the lights zone.

Timings & scheduling

Both parks typically open 17:30–23:30 with nightly shows; Fantasea often schedules 21:00 showtimes (extra earlier show on select dates), while Carnival Magic’s parade starts around 20:30. Always check the calendar for open days.

Tickets & value

Fantasea’s show-only seats start around THB 1,800 with add-ons for buffet and transfers.

Carnival Magic’s official pricing lists THB 2,900 show-only and THB 3,700 with buffet, with transfer bundles available.

What you’ll see at Phuket Fantasea

Phuket Fantasea illuminated temple with elephant statues at night, Phuket, Thailand.

Palace of the Elephants

Elephant-fronted theater hosting the “Fantasy of a Kingdom” stage show.

Staff welcoming guests at The Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant, Phuket Fantasea.

Phuket Fantasea buffet with ornate golden decor and dessert display.

Phuket Fantasea show with dancers and an elephant on stage.

What you’ll see at Carnival Magic

River Palace Theater

Home to the 45-minute River Carnival parade show.

Grand theater seating with ornate ceiling at Carnival Magic Phuket.

Visiting Phuket Fantasea and Carnival Magic

Phuket Fantasea: Book show-only or bundle with the Golden Kinnaree Buffet; prices typically start from THB 1,800 for adults, with seat upgrades and hotel transfer add-ons. Check the park calendar for extra early show dates and closures.
Carnival Magic: Official pricing clearly lists Show Only (THB 2,900), Show + Buffet (THB 3,700), and transfer-included options. Families benefit from child rates and the photogenic Kingdom of Lights included with entry.
Seeing both: Since the parks sit side-by-side in Kamala, plan them on two separate evenings for a relaxed pace- one night culture-theater, the next night parade-and-lights.
DIY vs packages: Independent booking is straightforward via each park’s site; adding shared hotel transfers is worth it if you’re staying in Patong/Karon/Kata to avoid taxi haggling and parking hassles.

Phuket Fantasea:

Address: Phuket Fantasea is located at 99, Moo 3 Kamala Beach, Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand | Find on Map
By car/taxi: Kamala, west coast of Phuket; ~9 km / 12 min drive from Patong in normal traffic.
By bus: Phuket Smart Bus runs the west-coast corridor with Kamala stops; service operates roughly 08:15–23:30.
By transfer: Add shared hotel transfers during booking.

How to get to Phuket Fantasea>

Carnival Magic:

Address: 999 Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand | Find on Maps
By car/taxi: Located next to Fantasea in Kamala—follow signage to Carnival Magic.
By bus: West-coast buses stop along Kamala Beach Road.
By transfer: Choose ticket bundles that include round-trip hotel transport.

How to get to Carnival Magic>

Phuket Fantasea:

Park generally opens 5:30pm–11:30pm with a 9:00pm show; select dates add an earlier show (e.g., 6:30pm).
Phuket Fantasea opening hours
Always reconfirm the calendar; Wednesdays may be closed.

Carnival Magic:

Typical hours 5:30pm–11:30pm; the River Carnival parade is about 45 minutes at 8:30pm (subject to date).
Carnival Magic opening hours
Check the schedule for operating days and any special events.

Duration & best time:

Plan 3–4 hours for either park.
Arrive soon after opening for dinner, shopping, and calm photo time before the show.

Arrive early: Getting there near 18:30 leaves time for dinner, shopping, and stress-free theater entry.
Pick your vibe: Fantasea = classic cultural theater; Carnival Magic = neon parade + light gardens. Choose based on photos you want and kids’ attention spans.
Transfers help: Traffic can be busy on the west coast; booking round-trip transfers avoids parking and taxi negotiations.
Seat selection: Premium seats improve views for acrobatics (Fantasea) or parade floats (Carnival Magic). Check seating maps during booking.
Dress light: Both are evening outdoor-indoor experiences—light clothing and comfy shoes make the pre-show wander easier.
Photography: Photos are great outdoors; expect restrictions during the shows—follow staff guidance at theaters.
With kids: Do Kingdom of Lights before the show at Carnival Magic for energy-burning photo fun; at Fantasea, plan buffet first to keep little ones fueled.

Frequently asked questions about Phuket Fantasea vs Carnival Magic

Can you visit both in one night?

It’s possible because they’re neighbors, but the experiences run the same evening hours. For a relaxed pace, book separate nights- one for theater, one for the parade and lights.

Which is more budget-friendly?

Fantasea generally starts lower (adult show-only around THB 1,800), while Carnival Magic’s show-only is THB 2,900 per official pricing. Bundles and transfers change totals; compare inclusions.

Which is better for first-time Phuket visitors?

For a “classic” dinner-and-show night rooted in Thai myth, choose Phuket Fantasea. If you want vivid photos and a glow-park vibe, Carnival Magic delivers that carnival spectacle.

Which is better for kids?

Both are family-friendly. Younger kids often love Carnival Magic’s glowing Kingdom of Lights and parade; school-age kids may also enjoy Fantasea’s acrobatics and costumes.

How far is Fantasea from Patong?

About 9 km (roughly 12 minutes by car in normal traffic). Count extra time around show hours.

What if I only have time for one?

Choose Fantasea if you want a longer, story-driven stage show with buffet dinner. Choose Carnival Magic if you prefer a shorter parade show plus lots of illuminated photo spots.

Are both open every day?

No. Both typically close on some Wednesdays and operate selected dates; always check the official calendars before you book.

How long do you need at each?

Plan 3–4 hours including dinner, pre-show wandering, and the performance (70 minutes at Fantasea; 45 minutes at Carnival Magic).

Which is bigger?

Carnival Magic spreads across multiple themed zones including the vast Kingdom of Lights, while Fantasea centers on its theater and large buffet complex. The feel is expansive at both, but the experiences differ in focus.

Phuket Fantasea: Book show-only or bundle with the Golden Kinnaree Buffet; prices typically start from THB 1,800 for adults, with seat upgrades and hotel transfer add-ons. Check the park calendar for extra early show dates and closures.
Carnival Magic: Official pricing clearly lists Show Only (THB 2,900), Show + Buffet (THB 3,700), and transfer-included options. Families benefit from child rates and the photogenic Kingdom of Lights included with entry.
Seeing both: Since the parks sit side-by-side in Kamala, plan them on two separate evenings for a relaxed pace- one night culture-theater, the next night parade-and-lights.
DIY vs packages: Independent booking is straightforward via each park’s site; adding shared hotel transfers is worth it if you’re staying in Patong/Karon/Kata to avoid taxi haggling and parking hassles.

Phuket Fantasea:

Address: Phuket Fantasea is located at 99, Moo 3 Kamala Beach, Kamala, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Thailand | Find on Map
By car/taxi: Kamala, west coast of Phuket; ~9 km / 12 min drive from Patong in normal traffic.
By bus: Phuket Smart Bus runs the west-coast corridor with Kamala stops; service operates roughly 08:15–23:30.
By transfer: Add shared hotel transfers during booking.

How to get to Phuket Fantasea>

Carnival Magic:

Address: 999 Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket 83150, Thailand | Find on Maps
By car/taxi: Located next to Fantasea in Kamala—follow signage to Carnival Magic.
By bus: West-coast buses stop along Kamala Beach Road.
By transfer: Choose ticket bundles that include round-trip hotel transport.

How to get to Carnival Magic>

Arrive early: Getting there near 18:30 leaves time for dinner, shopping, and stress-free theater entry.
Pick your vibe: Fantasea = classic cultural theater; Carnival Magic = neon parade + light gardens. Choose based on photos you want and kids’ attention spans.
Transfers help: Traffic can be busy on the west coast; booking round-trip transfers avoids parking and taxi negotiations.
Seat selection: Premium seats improve views for acrobatics (Fantasea) or parade floats (Carnival Magic). Check seating maps during booking.
Dress light: Both are evening outdoor-indoor experiences—light clothing and comfy shoes make the pre-show wander easier.
Photography: Photos are great outdoors; expect restrictions during the shows—follow staff guidance at theaters.
With kids: Do Kingdom of Lights before the show at Carnival Magic for energy-burning photo fun; at Fantasea, plan buffet first to keep little ones fueled.