Something different (Phuket Fantasea Theme Park)

Member Name: frankie1984

Product:	Phuket Fantasea Theme Park
Date:	05/01/09 (114 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unusual experience and chance to interact with animals

Disadvantages: Is it cruel?

I went to the Phuket Fantasea show when I stayed in Phuket on a work trip - in actual fact before I got told we would be going to this show I had never even heard of it and so I didn't really have much of an idea about it but, now that I've been this is my opinion on the place. Also my opinion is based on only the park and show and not on the meal as we didn't arrive until later on and so missed the dining.


What is it?
Phuket Fantasea is a small park that is home to the largest animal show on the island - it is done up with an array of lights to rival Blackpool illuminations and has a variety of other small attractions to keep guests occupied before going in to see the main show. The park also has a dining option where guests can go for a meal before the show.



First impressions:
Upon arriving at the park we noticed the way it was decorated immediately as it's done up with very gaudy lights and is very eye catching. The entrance alone is a tunnel of lights and you can't help be dazzled by all the lights and colours around you. We got through the entrance gates quite quickly and were soon in the main area. Upon entering again you notice how much is going on and the way everywhere is decorated. There are lots of stall selling gifts and games to win goodies like being at an amusement park. To the left hand side of you there is a stage where there were some singers and if I remember rightly were dressed as cavemen and were singing in a comic way and in the way they were dancing. Quite entertaining if you like that kind of thing and I guess the idea is to have things to look at everywhere you go in the park.
To the right was an arcade area with game machines and small kiddie's rides. As you start walking past this area you can see elephants in the distance which I found very exciting as this was a highlight for me! To the right of the elephant area there is a huge 'palace' like building which is where the main show is later on. The building is quite impressive and when I looked at it the first time it make me think of Angkor Wat. Overall the impression I had of the palace from just looking around was very noisy, tacky and fun all in one!



Attractions:
When you reach the area where the elephants are you notice that it is possible to have a ride on them which cost us just over 350 baht's (which is about £5). You can also buy food to give to them which cost about 150 which is about £2. They have 4 fully grown elephants and a few baby elephants in this area. Once all of the 4 bigger ones have riders they send you up the steps to get on, of which they have a seat that can fit two people on. The elephants have their ''mahoot'' sat on the front which is basically their keeper who has trained them since birth - the relationship between mahoot and elephant one is pretty special as they literally have the same one and if a mahoot is to die the elephants are known not to co-operate with anyone else. Anyway, the elephants have a big circular area that walk round which includes going through a bit of the area where some of the other guests are so all your friends and family can see you which is nice as you can get them to take pictures or video it if you have a camcorder.
This is by far the main attraction outside of the show building - most of the other attractions are games and watching little acts going on around the park by staff.



The theatre:
After we had done this we made our way into the huge palace like building. The show is at 9pm and there is one a night. The show is just over an hour long and when we were there they made an announcement about 30 minutes before to tell people to start making their way in as it takes a while to get everyone seated. When you first enter you have to queue up to give in any cameras, phones and camcorders as you are not allowed to take these in to the main theatre. You get a ticket which you have to hand in at the end to get any such items back. You can't really sneak any in either if you don't really like the idea as there is a metal detector to walk through. If you don't like the idea of having to leave valuables like this then I would suggest you don't take any with you into the park at all. There are photo opportunities anyway with the animals that you can buy so it's not like you can't get any photos of your time there!
When you first get through the gates there is separate areas to take you to the different seating sections and there is also an area where there are tiger cubs which you have the chance to get a picture with whilst bottle feeding them. I had mine taken and bought the photo which cost me about £5 so not really that much and it's surreal holding onto such a powerful and dangerous animal that is so tiny at the moment!
The theatre is really quite big which of course it would have to be with big animals involved and all the seats are arranged to be looking down at the stage rather than a level view



The show:
After that it's into the show which is a mix of animal acts including lots of elephants and a few other select animals and a few bits of Thai dancing and comedy. The elephants are the main act of the show obviously and they are very well trained especially as some of the ones in it are only baby ones. I can't really put the actual show into words as you'd have to see it to kind of understand it as there are speaking bits in it which are only done in Thai - however the story is easy to follow by the actions and so it doesn't make it any less enjoyable for those who don't speak Thai.There are a lot of sets involved too which are very nicely done and quite impressive in terms of style and colours - a lot of work has obviously gone into the making of the show.




Price:
No price wise for the whole package it does depend on whether you book through your hotel or through one of the shops that sell excursions. Prices don't really differ that much and I think on average it's about £25-30 per adult for the whole package - I am not entirely sure of children's prices but, I do believe you may be able to get reduced or free places for the younger ones depending on age and also where you book.



Overall opinion:
I do believe it is a unique place to go because of the layout and the way the whole park is decorated but, some people find that it may be cruel as obviously lots of animal acts involved and we don't see what goes on behind the scenes to get these animals to perform - however the elephants do tend to do whatever their mahoots ask them to so some would say it's not cruel as they will do it willingly and have grown up doing acts so know no different. I think going once is enough and I don't think I would go again as once you've seen it you wouldn't need to see it again. Of course it really does depend on what your opinion is as when I went I didn't really know much about it or what was there so I had no prior opinion of it and no expectations. I think it is obviously an experience for some to be able to see these animals up close but, if you wanted to do that you could always see them in their natural habitat instead of in a show.

Summary: A evening out that is slightly different to a lot of other places