Delivery dates

Probably not. On Preorder day, you need to get your order in within the first few minutes of the Apple Store opening. Remember that people from all around the world are ordering and likely in the millions of people. It is very typical for orders to be pushed out within about 30 minutes or so of ordering going live.

You can try ordering through your carrier or even BestBuy and see if they have earlier delivery options. But if you want to buy from Apple directly, the date they give you when you're to place your order is pretty accurate.

Stock in stores will be very limited until preorders are filled. You can stop by an Apple every day and try or just wait till your order is filled.

Oh you can try. Lot's of people will try. Apple sometimes has some limited stock for walk-in customers, but it's VERY limited and again, on a first come first serve basis. If you really want to try to be a walk-in hopeful, I'd go get in line outside your Apple Store HOURS before they open. And you may wait hours to find there is no device available for you.