Thanks!

The new bike does not come with pedals, so that eliminates any difficulty in removing them.

I did buy a pedal wrench to take the old pedals off my mountain bike. That was almost 2 years ago, I think. I ended up having to have the LBS mechanic take them off for the reasons you cite. But I still have the pedal wrench. Not sure about that allen wrench -- I will have to see what I have in my tool box.

About that washer -- would it come with the bike? Or with the new pedals? Or would I have to buy some?

I don't have any grease at home. I guess I will see what they have at the bike shop.