Test
 

Does the thread show up before I finish the poll?

Looks like yes, when you make a thread with a poll, press submit thread, and get taken to the poll generation page, the post shows up WITHOUT the poll attached to everyone on the site, until you finish the poll generation page. So to an onlooker, it looks like a regular thread until the creator is finished making the poll part.

Correct. Usually, if I'm making a poll I'll add a little note at the end of the original post. Something like 'please wait for poll' or 'poll will be up shortly', along those lines.