Disneyland Shanghai
Tomorrowland
Shanghai, China
Size
6,951,760 sf
Architect
Disney Imagineering, Grimshaw
Role
Project Architect at Disney Imagineering
Photography
Stefen Chow
A sweeping canopy defines the space, sheltering both a winding roller coaster and guests below. It redirects rain, softens harsh sunlight, and minimizes the need for mechanical heating or cooling by maximizing natural ventilation. The architecture is shaped to invite breezes, provide summer shade, and welcome winter sunlight where needed.
The landscape adapts with the seasons—filling with water to form sculpted wetlands in the rainy months and revealing planting patterns during dry periods. The canopy itself, a lightweight steel structure clad in ETFE pillows, was designed using advanced form-finding software to use minimal raw materials without compromising impact. Each ETFE pillow features a custom frit pattern that diffuses light and adds visual texture.
This striking structure also supports lighting and infrastructure while framing dramatic views of the roller coaster and surrounding park. Designed with social sustainability in mind, the space includes shaded paths, dining areas, ample seating, and passive climate controls to keep guests of all ages comfortable—ensuring an inclusive and memorable Tomorrowland experience.