ANAHEIM : Disneyland’s World Ambassador Chosen

Among the smiling cartoon characters, cheerful music and colorful decorations of Disneyland, is there one person qualified enough be to the Magic Kingdom’s “Ambassador to the World”?

Disney officials think they’ve found someone.

Her name is Kathleen Mitts, a Cal State Fullerton student who the officials boasted has “the ability to communicate the Disney philosophy.”

Mitts was selected Wednesday as Disneyland’s ambassador and will spend the next year traveling the world to spread goodwill from Mickey, Donald and the rest of the theme park gang.

Mitts competed against 100 other people for the ambassador title, which is bestowed on a park employee each year. She is Disneyland’s 29th ambassador.

The 21-year-old Fullerton woman said Wednesday that she was excited and honored about being selected, adding: “If you have a Disney personality, you can be a Disney ambassador too.”

Getting the job takes more than a great smile.

It requires a keen knowledge of the theme park’s many characters and rides. It also demands intelligence, wit and what Disneyland officials describe as someone “who doesn’t come across like a salesperson but rather as a friend.”

Mitts begins training for the job this month by touring the company’s Burbank studios. Eventually, she will visit Disney’s theme parks in Florida, France and Japan.