I did the following, and it helps a lot, like before upgrade to 4.3:
1) install Greenify - the new version support non-rooted device; and hibernate all applications except Whatsapp and other Apps needs to run all the time
2) In Manage Apps, browse through All Apps, and find all those Samsung services: "....syncAdapter", "backup provider", "cloud...","push service", "print service", "link"..., turn them off and Forced to stop
Actually, Note 2 belongs to my wife, which is not rooted. My own S3 is rooted, and runs AOKP android 4.3, which does not have battery drainage ..... so 4.3 & google service is not to be blamed. If I have time, I would root the Note2 as well to get rid of all those useless Samsung service.
( I disabled location reporting, but allows Android device manager to remotely located it)