So this is the thing... Universe is ready for a continuation basically whenever. Here's how:

Eli got the last pod working and they went into stasis. However, due to the age of the ship, the stasis didn't keep them from aging. Unfortunately, some of the crew (whose actors didn't want to come back) died or are stuck in stasis. A side effect of what Eli did to get the last stasis chamber working also used a ton of energy, so the ship had to conserve power getting to the new galaxy (hence the extra time taken). As they're starting up the ship again in a new galaxy, they discover that it's been looted. Everything inconvenient to the production (such as the ancient communication stones) has been taken.

If the production wants, Earth has the power now to dial up the Destiny, but since Destiny can't dial back, any trip is one-way. This way they can get modern tech and stuff (and have video calls with Earth while the Stargate is open), but they're still decently cut off. (Also, food and stuff are no longer an issue as the SGC can simply send packages through whenever the dial the gate.) This does also allow some new cast members as long as the have a sufficiently compelling "go on a one way trip" story. Maybe one of them even got special dispensation to bring their cat.