How to reset an Iphone passcode without factory resetting it?

So I recently found my Iphone (3gs, not jailbroken) and I don't remember the passcode anymore. I don't want to factory-reset the thing because I have allot of stuff on there that I don't want to lose. Is it possible to wait out the "Iphone is disabled, connect to ITunes" message, or is my only option to reset it?

Https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4733928?start=0&tstart=0

You will need to restore your iPhone, but you will have the option to do a complete back-up through iTunes before you restore.

Then all you have to do is restore the phone from a previous backup once you've erased it.