| Offer | When | "From" price (Oct. 2026) | Included | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Magic, ticket with dinner and transfer | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday (according to resellers) | about $110 (listings seen, with transfer); 4.6 from 361 reviews | entry, buffet dinner, transfer | families | See |
| Carnival Magic, entry with optional transfer | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday | about $61; rating around 4.4 | park entry and show, optional transfer | tight budgets, travellers with a car or scooter | See |
| Carnival Magic, Royal seat with dinner | Monday, Wednesday, Saturday | about $107 to $113; 3.9 from 8 reviews | best seat, dinner | compare before buying | See |
| Phuket FantaSea, show with optional buffet and transfer | opening days to check (several resellers cite Tuesday, Friday and Sunday) | from $65; 4.3 from only 3 reviews | show entry, Golden Kinnaree buffet and optional transfer | couples, adults | See |
Phuket FantaSea: the Kamala show
Phuket FantaSea is in Kamala, about 22 km from Phuket Town, north of Patong (see also the Kamala district). The main show, "Fantasy of a Kingdom", lasts about 70 minutes. The buffet dinner is at the Golden Kinnaree restaurant, which advertises more than 60 Thai and international dishes, according to resellers.
- What you do: arrive around 5:30 pm, walk through the park and its illuminated decorations, have dinner, then enter the theatre for the evening show. Resellers give show times between 7:30 pm and 9 pm: confirm on your ticket.
- Good to know: photos and video are forbidden in the theatre. Arrive 30 minutes before the start. Performers or hosts may offer paid photos at the exit, as a review quoted on the booking page points out.
- Days: resellers disagree (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday according to several; an older source cites other days). Check the day before booking your hotel or excursion.
- Worth it? Yes if you want one big structured evening with dinner and transfer. Not on a tight budget: the ticket alone is already expensive for an evening. There are few reviews on the GetYourGuide page (4.3 from 3 reviews when consulted), so read reviews on other platforms too.
Carnival Magic: float parade and park
Carnival Magic, in Kathu, combines a park with games and attractions, an illuminated setting ("Kingdom of Lights") and, in the evening, the "River Carnival" parade show. Resellers announce opening from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. For the parade time, pages give 8:30 pm, 9 pm or 9:30 pm: the exact time is on your ticket.
- What you do: stroll through the park, play games, have the buffet dinner if the package includes it, then watch the parade. Plan 4 to 6 hours on site.
- Good to know: some games and rides cost extra inside the park, several travellers complain about it. Photography is limited during the show. The audience is mostly children: one traveller puts the show at 80% for children.
- Worth it? Yes with children of about 3 to 12. Without children, you may find the price high for a six-hour evening.
Standard seat, Royal seat, dinner: which to pick?
The Royal seat with dinner is the most expensive Carnival Magic option (around $107 to $113) and its rating is lower (3.9 from 8 reviews; one traveller writes that it is "more a carnival parade than art"). For most travellers, the standard ticket with dinner and transfer is the best balance.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Prices: they depend on the date, the seat and the transfer. The figures on this page are "from" prices seen on GetYourGuide in October 2026, not official.
- Street sellers: do not buy a ticket from a tout on the beach. Read scams and safety in Phuket.
- The transfer: the trip from Kata or Patong takes time in the evening. Allow margin or choose a ticket with transfer (see getting around Phuket).
- The day: neither park opens every evening. Book your date before locking in the rest of your plans.
Which show should you choose?
- Family with children: Carnival Magic, ticket with dinner and transfer.
- Couple or adults: FantaSea with the buffet, or the Simon Cabaret, shorter (about 70 minutes too) and in Patong.
- Tight budget: Carnival Magic entry only, no transfer, no dinner.
- A rainy evening: both take place largely outdoors; see what to do in Phuket when it rains for indoor options.
FAQ
What is the difference between FantaSea and Carnival Magic?
FantaSea is an evening built around one big theatre show with a buffet; Carnival Magic is a games park with a float parade, mostly suited to children.
Do I need to book ahead?
It is better in high season: both are sold with or without transfer, and opening days are limited.
Can I film the show?
Not at FantaSea, where photos and video are forbidden in the theatre; at Carnival Magic, photography is limited during the show. Check the rule at the entrance.
Are meals included?
Only in the "with dinner" or "with buffet" packages; the basic entry ticket does not include a meal. Read the description before paying.
Is there a cheaper alternative?
The Simon Cabaret in Patong is another big evening show, with standard seats around 25 USD at some resellers (unofficial price); for other evening outings, see also Muay Thai.
