Anyone expecting a mainline Animal Crossing game this year or before next spring was a little too hopeful.
I think the timing all depends on the mobile app staying on track for late this year. If the app hits on time, Animal Crossing will almost certainly be coming to Switch next year. But Nintendo has been very sparse with details on their Animal Crossing app. All they've said is it will 1) integrate in a meaningful way with the next main Animal Crossing title, 2) will release ahead of the next Animal Crossing game to increase mindshare for the main Animal Crossing title, and 3) get revealed in a special Animal Crossing Direct later this year. But they could easily choose to delay it if they feel they need to.
Baring significant development difficulties and delays, 2019 seems like the absolute latest the next Animal Crossing will release, 2018 being more likely if the app is on time.
By the way, I'm counting from when it came out in Japan, not in the USA, so it might even be 2020 here.
That's not as likely this time. Since the next Animal Crossing is almost certainly a Switch title, and the Switch is not region locked, a popular series like Animal Crossing are more pressured to release globally within a smaller window. Delaying a global launch would also fumble market synergy with the app.
I'm actually really upset it's coming to Switch because I'm never going to be getting one because I can't afford one
I really wanted to try a new AC game because it's been so long.
It's worth keeping in mind that the Switch as a platform was designed in such a way that it will change over time. This year was all about up-selling Wii U owners and hardcore gamers. Next year I suspect Nintendo will begin trying to up-sell 3DS owners. Already some of that is forming with follow-ups to popular 3DS games such as a new Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem, Kirby, and Pok?mon, all coming to Switch, at least two of which next year. Given the surprising cost of the Switch Dock, Nintendo could easily sell a Switch unit without the Dock for $250. On top of that, they will eventually be able to cut the price as well, but it's hard to predict that at this time. Another option is some sort of Switch 'Mini' with less features. Nintendo will eventually do more to make the Switch more appealing to 3DS owners.
