Questions about viewing fireworks in NYC
 

Does anyone have information on access to the public viewing areas, such as how far in advance you have to get there and if there will be restrooms / porta-potties? The Macy's website only has the locations, not any other practical tips.

Also, it says that fireworks can be seen anywhere that has a view of the sky over the East River. I'm trying to figure out how i can determine that. Does that mean that you have to be able to see the East River from where you are? I will be staying in the East Village (alphabet city) and am wondering if i can just go out in the street there and look up??

I'm guessing that you can walk over to the park area along the East River/FDR Drive for a very good view. The FDR Drive may even be closed during that time, to facilitate viewing.
But do double check.

I doubt if you just look up in the East Village you will see it. Some of the FDR will be closed but the fireworks are at the Brooklyn Bridge and south.

Here's a link to the information provided by Macy's:
http://social.macys.com/fireworks/#/wheretowatch

what I was looking for was information on the public viewing sections. Most likely I'll just start walking and see what i can see. Not sure i can stand waiting around in big crowds.

There are no "viewing sections" if you mean seats (except for a tiny number of VIPs. To see this you are going to have to stand int he middle of a huge crowd (often as many as a million people overall) or bring a beach chair, get there hours in advance and sit right on the edge of the river or promenade of whatever.

There is just so much strangers can help you with.

I'm not sure that you have to get there three hours in advance to see the fireworks. I used to walk down to the (closed) FDR a few minutes before the show and see them. There are certainly a lot of people around, but you do not have to be at the edge or in the front row to see them, unless something has changed in the last few years.