It does, but only briefly. Mostly our world is at a "dimensional twist" from the originating world, so it looks impossibly disjointed and non-Euclidean, thus threatening the sanity of visitors. That could be the author's commentary, I suppose.

I'm tossing it in to your discussion as a contrast around wish-fulfillment, because the originating world thinks that the portal(s) will solve all their problems, and they don't. Also, the child's family knows he is traveling back and forth, which is unusual.

Adults being aware reminds me of the Green Knowe books, but I think that is drifting even farther from your specific request.

Thanks for starting a fascinating discussion!