Does anyone else find that the minigames for lockpick and disposition break immersion and hinder roleplay? Or is that just me? Or is it just because I'm used to Morrowind style play.?

I like the lockpicking minigame. I liked it in Fallout 3 and Skyrim too. In Oblivion I sometimes follow glargg's example and use the auto attempt button, to simulate traditional roleplaying character skill over player skill. But, regardless - the interface, the moving of the picks, the sound, it all feels nicely plausible and immersive to me. Morrowind's lockpicking felt tedious and uninteresting to me.

The Persuasion mini-game, on the other hand, is an abomination. In my opinion it is the worst game mechanic Bethesda has ever introduced into the series. And I believe they realized it, too. They removed it from their later games, and I hope to all the gods of Tamriel they never bring it back.