I bought tickets for my family. I was told several times from several cast members that I do not have to be with them when they use the ticket, but I did have to physically pick up the tickets. I bought the tickets in October when we were there (and got physical tickets after I paid for them and they checked my DVC card), and my family will be using them in February, when I am not there. I have seen posts where people have said they bought them over the phone and assigned the ticket to family members Magic Bands, but I don't have any experience with that.